Fleig sentenced for murder spree focused on obtaining drug money

By Linda Cicoira 

     Murderer Gary Joseph Fleig, who admitted to killing two county residents in a 2021 crime spree that focused on obtaining money for drugs like methamphetamines, was sentenced Thursday in Accomack Circuit Court to 40 active years in prison.   

      The victims were 62-year-old musician and carpenter Edward Bruce “E.B.” Mears Jr., of Oak Hall, who was found dead at his home, which Fleig set on fire, and 44-year-old Maurice Lamont “Rico” Feddemon, of Temperanceville, who was a “friend” and whose body was found in a field. The incidents occurred on Dec. 4 and 5, 2021.

     The terms included 33 years for each of the murders to run concurrently and seven mandatory years for associated charges of robbery, firearms offenses, arson, armed burglary, grand larceny, and escape. 

     Forty-eight-year-old Fleig, who has lived in Hallwood, Saxis, and Temperanceville, has a long list of prior offenses beginning in 1994 with petty crimes and fish and game violations. 

     Commonwealth’s Attorney Spencer Morgan called Fleig “a dangerous and deadly threat to the community.” He said the plea bargain that called for the 40-year term was made to keep him incarcerated for a long time and would alleviate conflicts of two jury trials. It also left him with enough suspended time to stop him from ever getting parole, if parole were to be reenacted in Virginia. 

     The maximum term for his offenses was three life terms plus 120 years. He has already served about three years in jail, which will count towards the active time.

     Defense lawyer Jon Thornbrugh said while in jail, Fleig was diagnosed with bipolar disorder with maniac issues. Medicines have allowed him to be ‘contemplative and remorseful,” Thornbrugh said. The defendant said he was sorry just before being sentenced.

      In a summary of the evidence at the trial, Morgan said Fleig, who was accompanied by his wife, Wendy Dawn Taylor, went to Mears’ home saying he needed to make a phone call. Once he got inside the house he stabbed Mears, took Mears’ gun, and shot him. His body was recovered after firefighters saw the flames as they were returning from a parade in Maryland and went to the Lankford Highway scene. Police found blood on the floor of the house and a shell casing. Early on the morning of Dec. 6, Feddemon was found shot to death in the Oak Hall area.

     Mears’ gun and a pair of bloody boots were found at Fleig’s home, Morgan said at first the defendant said 56-year-old Coy Edward Bailey killed Mears. But he later admitted he had done it. In the second incident, Feddemon and Fleig picked up Fleig’s son, who tussled with Feddemon, and the defendant shot Feddemon.

     A DVR surveillance system was damaged in the fire at the Mears home, Morgan continued. The US Secret Service was able to recover a recording from the device that showed both Fleig and Taylor inside the house for about an hour. Morgan said Fleig even took a shower there before setting the fire.

      Probable cause was found for charges of attempted first-degree murder, arson, burglary, theft, and various firearm offenses for Fleig in Worcester County, Md., in connection with Dec. 3, 2021 incidents. Probable cause was also found there for burglary, theft, and destruction of property charges that occurred between Nov. 29 and Dec. 3, 2021, and for burglary and theft on Dec. 2, 2021.

     Court records show Wendy Taylor and Coy Bailey are in prison in Maryland serving time for two counts of burglary in the first degree that occurred on Dec. 3, 2021. Morgan said Taylor would eventually be brought to face charges in Accomack.