According to Pocahontas County Circuit Clerk Connie Carr, the following cases were heard June 27 before the Honorable James J. Rowe:
Megan Josephine Stewart, 23, of Oceana, failed to appear for a status conference and the court ordered a warrant to be issued and revoked the defendant’s bond.
In the case the State vs Julian Waddell, 30, of Marlinton, defense counsel asked that the sentencing order be corrected to reflect the six months the defendant served on home confinement. The state objected to the motion due to the seriousness of the offenses – malicious wounding and child abuse. The court denied the defense to reconsider.
A change of plea hearing was held in the case the State vs Robert Wolfe, 44, of Mill Creek. After conferring with defense counsel, the defendant advised that he did not wish to plead. Trial is set for October 14 at 9 a.m.
In a pre-trial conference in the case the State vs Joshua Wiley, 29, of Hillsboro, the state asked that the defendant remain in custody until his trial date of July 15. The state did not object to the defendant’s transfer to the Southern Regional Jail.
In the sentencing and disposition hearing in the case the State vs Andea Woody, 29, of White Sulphur Springs, defense counsel asked for probation, stating that the defendant had changed. The state agreed to remain silent during sentencing. The court sentenced the defendant to not less than one year nor more than five years in the state penitentiary. The sentence was suspended and the defendant was placed on probation for five years. Restitution is to be paid within the five year probation period.
Brandy McCleese, 31, of Charleston, pleaded guilty to operating/attempting to operate a clandestine drug lab and conspiracy to commit a felony. The court accepted the guilty plea and transferred the matter to the Drug Court program and the case was dismissed.
Lisa Eikeler, 36, of Oak Hill, pleaded guilty to Count I – operating/attempting to operate a clandestine drug lab and Count II – conspiracy to commit a felony. The state remained silent during the sentencing. As to Count I, the defendant was sentenced to not less than two years nor more than 10 years, with no fine. As to Count II – she was sentenced to not less than one year nor more than five years. Sentences are consecutive – back to back – and shall run concurrently with the sentences the defendant is currently serving in Kanawha and Fayette counties.
Trial is set for August 1 in the case the state vs Austin Drayden Shaffer, 24, an inmate at the Huttonsville Correctional Center.
The court found factual basis to revoke bond in the case the State vs Travis Brown, 21, of Arbovale. The defendant had been encouraged to seek treatment for substance abuse. The court re-admitted the defendant to bail with the added condition of home confinement and Day Report.
On July 7 Senior Status Judge Thomas Keadle presided over a pre-trial conference in the case the State vs Donna Price. No court reporter was present. The state advised that it had been provided with recent discoveries as to amounts involved in the embezzlement charges and needs time to determine those amounts. The state asked for a continuance. The defense did not object. The three-day trial is set for August 12 at 9 a.m.
