William Robert Rigdon

UPDATED 12:42 p.m.: Jurors seated for the murder case against William “Bobby” Rigdon heard competing theories this morning regarding the identity of the gunman who shot and killed Wendell Gleason Pyles.

Special Prosecutor Shawna Virgin Kincer said during her opening statement this morning in Warren Circuit Court that Rigdon, 32, of Lebanon, fired the shots that killed 50-year-old Piles on Sept. 26, 2012, at his workplace in Casey County.

Kincer said that detectives recovered a cigarette from the scene that contained Rigdon’s DNA and that jurors would hear from inmates who will testify that Rigdon boasted about his actions.

According to Kincer, the shooting came about because Pyles, who had been a member of the Iron Horsemen motorcycle club’s Frankfort chapter, was a member in bad standing who broke protocol by having a recruit turn in his club paraphernalia when he decided to leave the club rather than turn in his paraphernalia in person to chapter president David Salyers.

“Because (Pyles) didn’t follow proper procedures and protocol, the Iron Horsemen weren’t happy about it,” said Kincer, claiming that Rigdon was a recruit to the organization who had accompanied Salyers to Tarter Gate Co. to kill Pyles.

Rigdon’s attorney, Bridget Hofler-Saunders, said in her opening statement that Salyers actually shot Pyles.

A long-standing disagreement had festered between the two when Pyles was slow to repay money that Salyers had fronted for a motorcycle and other items, according to Hofler-Saunders.

Salyers had motive to kill Pyles because of this conflict, Hofler-Saunders said, telling jurors about a police interview in which Salyers said, “What I do, I do on my own.”

“You don’t get to be the president of an Iron Horsemen club chapter by being a nice guy,” Hofler-Saunders said.

The first two witnesses have been called on behalf of the state this morning. The trial is scheduled to last two weeks.

— For more details, see Wednesday’s Daily News.

EARLIER: Amid heightened security, a jury was selected in the murder trial of William Robert “Bobby” Rigdon after a daylong process Monday.

Nearly 200 potential jurors arrived at the Warren County Justice Center on the first day of the trial, which is anticipated to last two weeks.

Kentucky State Police troopers were stationed Monday morning at the justice center’s main lobby and outside the fourth floor courtroom where jury selection took place. The courtroom was closed to all but potential jurors.

Members of the KSP Special Response Team are expected to maintain a presence during the trial.

Rigdon, 30, of Lebanon, is charged in connection with the Sept. 26, 2012, death of 50-year-old Wendell Gleason Pyles, who was shot three times at Tarter Gate Co. in Casey County, where he worked.

Pyles was a member of the Iron Horsemen Motorcycle Club. Authorities allege he was shot by fellow club member Rigdon because David Salyers, then-president of the club’s Frankfort chapter, was upset with Pyles over unpaid debts and the manner in which Pyles attempted to leave the club.

According to reports, Salyers purchased a Harley-Davidson motorcycle, club patches and other paraphernalia and paid for gas for Pyles with the understanding Pyles would repay the debts. 

Pyles eventually decided he wanted to leave the club, but broke Iron Horsemen protocol by not turning in his patches and paraphernalia in person, according to reports.

Salyers was convicted of complicity to murder last year and sentenced to 20 years and six months in prison.

At his trial, Salyers identified Rigdon as the gunman who shot and killed Pyles.

Shawna Virgin Kincer, a lawyer in the Kentucky Attorney General’s Office, is acting as special prosecutor in the case against Rigdon after obtaining a conviction against Salyers.

Considerable publicity in Casey County surrounding the case led to Rigdon’s trial being moved in June to Warren County. 

Salyers’ trial was moved to Green County due to concerns that two of his relatives might attempt to intimidate jurors, according to reports.

Another security measure indicated in court records is an order that Rigdon be fitted with a remotely activated custody and control belt, which is equipped to deliver a shock similar to a stun gun.

The belt is typically used as a safety measure while an inmate is transported to and from court.

— Follow courts reporter Justin Story on Twitter at twitter.com/jstorydailynews or visit bgdailynews.com.