The following hearings were recently held in Pocahontas County Circuit Court before the Honorable Judge Robert E. Richardson:
Jeffrey Thomas Rose, 30, of Hillsboro, and his defense counsel have filed a written plea agreement with the court. The trial that was set for October 21 was removed from the docket. A plea hearing will be held on that date. Rose was indicted on one count, strangulation; one count, kidnapping; two counts, domestic battery; three counts, domestic assault; one count, interfering with emergency communications.
Isaiah Bennett, 20, of Buckeye, waived his right to a trial and pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor offense of domestic battery. The court dismissed, without prejudice, the charges of violating a protective order and interference with emergency services. Bennett waived his right to a pre-sentence investigation. The court suspended the remaining eight months of jail time, giving credit for the four months served. Bennett was placed on three and a half years of supervised probation. He was released from the terms and conditions of his bond.
Austin Keith Fultz, 31, of Cass, pleaded guilty to Count I of the indictment, the felony offense of possession with intent to deliver a Schedule II substance. The court dismissed Counts II, III and IV with prejudice. Sentencing and disposition is set for November 18. Fultz remains on current bond.
The State offered Burt William Harmon, Jr. a global plea deal covering two cases. He did not accept it. A two-day trial is set for October 28. Harmon was indicted on one count, burglary; one count, destruction of property; and one count, receiving or transferring stolen goods.
The case against Adam Thomas Shinaberry was transferred from Magistrate Court to Circuit Court. An evaluation showed that the defendant is not competent to stand trial. The court ordered a dangerousness assessment. The State will need to contact the victim to see if home confinement is a possibility.
An evaluation of Jason Powell, 20, of Hillsboro, showed that he lacks competency to stand trial and the court concurred. The evaluation states that there is a poor chance of restoration. Bond was unamended. Powell was indicted on one count, strangulation.
