The following hearings were recently held in the Pocahontas County Circuit Court before Honorable Judges Robert E. Richardson and Jennifer P. Dent:
Clinton E. Buzzard, 37, of Hillsboro, failed to appear for his status conference. A capias was issued.
A change of plea hearing was held in the case the State vs Gary McKenney, 70, of Marlinton, wherein defense counsel asked for a continuance as the defendant had accumulated a new felony charge. A status conference is set for July 27.
In the case the State vs Eric Dakota Castle, 22, of Princeton, the court granted a motion from defense counsel to withdraw as counsel in this matter.
Rodney Brewer, 48, an inmate in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail waived his right to a speedy trial. A status hearing is set for August 11.
Defense counsel for Dustin Morrison, 25, of Marlinton, advised the court that the state and the defendant had reached a plea agreement. The court will not hear the plea until the probation department is available to provide more information. Counsel asked that the defendant be released from Kanawha County Home Incarceration to attend the Jobs and Hope program at Camp Dawson. The court modified Morrison’s bond and placed him on Preston County Home Incarceration while he is attending the Jobs and Hope Program at Camp Dawson. Upon his successful completion of the program and release from the program, the defendant will immediately return to Pocahontas County where he will be under Pocahontas County Home Confinement supervision. The June 30 trial was removed from the docket.
A bond revocation hearing was held in the case the State vs Ina B. Pennington, 47, of Marlinton, wherein the defendant, appearing by video from the Tygart Valley Regional Jail, admitted to using alcohol, thereby violating her bond. Pennington will remain in the TVRJ until a bed is available at a rehab program.
An evidentiary hearing on a motion to revoke alternative sentencing was held in the case the State vs Richard Keener, 39, of Hillsboro, wherein the defendant admitted to violating the terms of his home incarceration. He was sanctioned to 27 days in jail. When released, he is to find an approved residence and enter the Drug Court program in Pocahontas or Greenbrier County.
Freddie J. Doss, Jr., an inmate in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail, waived his right to an extradition hearing and will voluntarily return to Shawnee County, Kansas, to face a charge of burglary.
Bryan Thompson, 59, of Hillsboro, failed to appear for his status hearing. A capias was issued.