The following hearings were recently held in Pocahontas County Circuit Court before the Honorable Judges Robert E. Richardson and Jennifer P. Dent: Cory Alexander, 20, of Marlinton, appeared by video from the Tygart Valley Regional Jail for a status hearing. Defense counsel presented the defendant’s motion to impose sentencing. The court granted the motion and sentenced Alexander to six months in the Regional Jail with 19 days’ credit for time served. A sentencing and disposition hearing was held in the case the State vs Richard Brewer, 30, of Beverly, wherein the defendant, appearing by video from the Tygart Valley Jail, was sentenced to three years with the Divisions of Corrections and Rehabilitation on the charge of willfully, unlawfully and maliciously setting fire on lands; and one year in the Regional Jail on the charge of destruction of property. The sentences are to run consecutively. Samuel Lee Williams, 35, of Hillsboro, appeared by video from the Tygart Valley Jail for a status conference, wherein defense counsel asked that bond be reinstated. The state objected and related that the defendant was picked up on a capias in the State of Virginia. The court denied bond. An evidentiary hearing is set for December 8. Plea negotiations are ongoing in the case the State vs Amanda Lynn Lockman, 46, of Mount Nebo. Lockman was indicted on one count, counterfeiting. In the case the State vs Jeremy Self, 62, of Durbin, defense counsel presented a motion asking for authority to hire an investigator in the matter. The court granted the motion and set a cap of $3,000. Self waived his right to a speedy trial. He was indicted on three counts, sexual abuse in the first degree and one count, sexual abuse by a custodian of a child. A plea agreement has been reached in the case the State vs Robbie Harlan, 39, of Marlinton. A change of plea hearing is set for January 12, 2022.
