The following hearings were recently held in Pocahontas County Circuit Court:
A status hearing was held in the case the State vs Stephanie Michelle Sharp, 38, of Hillsboro, wherein the defendant stated that she does not want to pursue drug court. State had provided a potential plea for her to enter the drug court program. Sharp waived her right to a speedy trial during this term of court. The matter is set for a status hearing January 3, 2024. Pre-trial motions are to be filed by December 29, 2023. Sharp was indicted on one count, grand larceny, a felony; one count, conspiracy, a felony; one count, child neglect creating risk of serious bodily injury, a felony.
Landon Matthew Gibson, 20, of Buckeye, appeared by video from the Tygart Valley Regional Jail for a status hearing, wherein the State advised the court that a proposed plea agreement had been mailed to defense counsel. The defense stated that Gibson wants to enter a treatment facility. A change of plea hearing was set for November 15. Gibson was indicted on one count, petit larceny, a misdemeanor; one count, grand larceny, a felony; one count, burglary, a felony.
A status hearing was held in the case the State vs Franklin Monroe Cook, 65, of Caldwell, wherein defense counsel presented a motion to sever the counts in the indictment. The State advised the court that the matter is contested. Cook waived his right to a speedy trial in this term of court. Deadline for pre-trial motions is set for November 28. Cook was indicted on three counts, sexual abuse in the first degree; two counts, sexual abuse by a custodian of a child; and three counts, sexual assault in the first degree.
Christopher Gibson, 46, of Buckeye, appeared for in-person sentencing, wherein the State stood silent during sentencing, and the defendant was remanded to custody of the West Virginia Department of Corrections for 60-day diagnostic classification. Upon completion of evaluation, the defendant may remain on bond until his hearing.
A motion for entry of a protective order concerning child testimony was filed by defense counsel in the case the State vs Luke Gum 35, of Dunmore. The court granted a continuance in the case, and Gum waived his right to a speedy trial in this term of court. The court accepted the waiver and the motion for the protective order. Gum was indicted on three counts, sexual abuse in the first degree, a felony; three counts, sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian of a child, a felony; four counts, sexual assault in the first degree, a felony.
Angela Turner, 49, of Marlinton, tendered a written plea agreement to the court wherein she pleaded guilty to the felony offense of driving while license revoked for driving under the influence of alcohol, third offense. The matter was referred to the probation department for a pre-sentence investigation. Sentencing and disposition is set for January 11, 2024. The court granted the State’s motion for dismissal of one other charge in its entirety with prejudice and another with prejudice.