The following hearings were recently held in Pocahontas County Circuit Court before the Honorable Judge Patrick I. Via:
David Ryan, 53, of White Sulphur Springs, appeared by video from the North Central Regional Jail for a hearing on petition to revoke extended supervised release. Defense counsel asked for a continuance to allow time for the parties to consider a plea deal in this court and in Federal Court. Ryan waived his right to a preliminary hearing, and an evidentiary hearing is set for April 23. Ryan was indicted by the April 2017 Grand Jury on two counts, sexual abuse by a custodian of a child; and two counts, sexual abuse in the first degree.
Thomas W. Webb, 35, of Marlinton, waived his right to a speedy trial and the matter is continued into the April term of court. Webb was indicted on one count, sexual assault in the first degree; and one count, strangulation.
A change of plea hearing is set for March 26 in the case the State vs Chelsea Ann Ryder, 35, of Dunmore. Ryder was indicted on one count, burglary; and one count, petit larceny.
Plea negotiations are ongoing in the case the State vs Evan M. Hamrick, 19, of Marlinton. Defense counsel asked for more discovery material. The defendant waived his right to a speedy trial during this term of court. Hamrick was indicted on one count, driving under the influence-impaired driving causing injury; one count, reckless driving; one count, leaving scene of crash causing injury; one count, assault; and one count, battery.
A change of plea hearing is set for March 26 in the case the State vs Justin Adam Cutlip, 44, of Marlinton. Cutlip was indicted on four counts, sexual abuse in the first degree; and four counts, sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian or person in position of trust of a child.
Mason Slava Walker, 24, of Hillsboro, appeared by video from the Tygart Valley Regional Jail, and waived his right to a speedy trial during this term of court. The matter is set for a status hearing April 9. Walker was indicted on one count, murder in the first degree; one count, use or presentment of a firearm during the commission of a felony; and one count, person prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Roy Lynn Walker, 58, of Hillsboro, appeared by video from the TVRJ and waived his right to a speedy trial during this term of court. The court granted a defense motion to remove home confinement. Walker was placed in the Day Report Program with random drug screens. Walker was indicted on one count, harassment; one count, intimidation of and against public officers and employees; and three counts, indecent exposure.
A hearing on motion to revoke bond was held in the case the State vs Jonathan Keith Bennett, 35, of Marlinton, wherein the court found that the defendant violated the terms and conditions of his bond. Bennett was remanded to the TVRJ as this matter proceeds. Bennett asked for a trial during this term of court, but the defense attorney indicated that he cannot be prepared for trial as his schedule is already set. Bennett was indicted on one count, driving a vehicle while impaired by alcohol and/or a controlled substance, and such was the cause of a crash which led to the death of Josey W. Armstrong; one count, negligent homicide; and one count, operating a vehicle while license was suspended by the Magistrate Court for failure to appear for a hearing.
