The following hearings were recently held in Pocahontas County Circuit Court:
Landon Gibson, 20, of Buckeye, tendered a written plea agreement to the court wherein he pleaded guilty to new misdemeanor information filed that day of receiving or transferring stolen goods. The state asked that an additional case be dismissed in its entirety with prejudice. Gibson is to enter Anchor Point inpatient drug treatment November 27. Bond was set at $5,000 personal recognizance. Bond will be effective only upon a bed being available at Anchor Point. Gibson was remanded to custody. Sentencing and disposition is set for January 3, 2024.
Brian Michael Mason, 35, of Hillsboro, has been accepted into the drug court program. A plea agreement is in the works and will be submitted to the court shortly. Defense counsel asked for bond to be set to allow the defendant to be released to home confinement upon completion of the program at Anchor Point, while waiting to attend drug court. Upon completion of the Anchor Point program, Mason will immediately self-report to the home confinement program. He is to have no contact with the victim in this case.
A four-day jury trial is set for February 6, 2024, in the case the State vs Skylar Tincher, 24, of Buckeye. Tincher was indicted on one count malicious assault; one count, attempted murder; one count, use or presentation of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
A jury trial is set for February 20, 2024 in the case the State vs Ross Benedict, 37, of Marlinton. The court denied a defense motion to suppress evidence. Benedict waived his right to a speedy trial in this term of court. Benedict was indicted by the August 2022 Grand Jury on one count, burglary; and one count, destruction of property.
In the case the State vs Virginia Hall, 41, of Hillsboro, defense counsel advised the court that plea negotiations are being discussed and a resolution may be near.
A change of plea hearing was held in the case the State vs Joshua VanReenen, 36, of Hillsboro, wherein the defendant pleaded guilty by Kennedy/Frazier plea to the felony offense of wanton endangerment involving a fire-arm. Due to the agreement, adjudication will be deferred for two years. VanReenen will be subject to supervision of the Probation Department. The court granted the state’s motion to dismiss Counts I and III of the indictment with prejudice.
The court found probable cause that Steven Good, 31, of Durbin, had violated the terms and conditions of his probation. The defendant waived his right to a preliminary hearing, and the matter is set for an evidentiary hearing December 6.