UPDATE: Witness calls alleged president of Pagans the ‘#2 guy’ in W.Va. during murder trial
By WDTV News Staff Published: Aug. 21, 2025 at 1:39 PM EDT
https://www.wdtv.com/2025/08/21/alleged-president-pagan-motorcycle-clubs-murder-trial-continues-marion-county/
FAIRMONT, W.Va (WDTV) – UPDATE (8/26): The murder trial of an alleged president of a Pagan motorcycle club is continuing in Marion County this week.
Day six of Ryan Lane’s murder trial, in which he is accused of playing a role in Henry Silver’s murder in 2022, was held Tuesday.
More details about the case can be found in the original story below.
The testimony of an ATF agent that has investigated motorcycle gangs since 2006 took up most of the hearing on Tuesday.
The agent broke down the history and structure of the Pagans before testifying that he believes Lane is the “number two guy” in the organization’s hierarchy in West Virginia. He said Lane reports directly to the “mother club.”
“Everything runs through him,” the agent said.
Lane’s case is expected to continue throughout this week.
ORIGINAL (8/21): The alleged president of a Pagan motorcycle club is standing trial in Marion County this week for murder.
Ryan Lane, 37, is accused of playing a role in Henry Silver’s murder in 2022 after sending a text to some of his members that said, “Handle that f—–,” according to court documents.
Lane is one of six men arrested in relation to the murder, which occurred on September 9th of 2022 in the Carolina area of Marion County. John Wolfe, a member of the club, learned of a hidden relationship involving Silver and his girlfriend. Deputies alleged that Wolfe then conspired with other members of the club to murder Silver.
Ten minutes prior to the murder occurring, Wolfe texted Lane and told him “keep ur phone on I might need bail money,” court documents say. After that text, deputies said Lane continued to communicate with Wolfe and traveled to where he believed he would be to discuss the events that occurred.
During day four of Lane’s trial Thursday, the jury got to hear from the prosecution, police and multiple other witnesses, including Wolfe’s girlfriend at the time. The defense aimed to cast reasonable doubt upon the prosecution’s case by bringing up Lane’s twin, who they say owns the property connected to the club house and led to confusion surrounding who the club’s president actually was during the night of the police raid.
Wolfe was found guilty of Silver’s murder in April 2024 and sentenced to life in prison for first-degree murder in June 2024. Another man, Austin Mullins, who prosecutors have alleged was the shooter, was sentenced to spend 40 years in prison in March for his role in the crime.
Two other men involved — Derek Clem and Dane Hull — were sentenced to time in prison for their roles in the crime in April of this year.
Comments