The following hearings were recently held in Pocahontas County Circuit Court before the Honorable Robert E. Richardson and Jennifer P. Dent:
David Mace, 38, of Marlinton, appeared for his arraignment wherein he plea- ded not guilty to charges in four indictments, which included strangulation, and several counts of domestic battery, domestic assault, wanton endangerment with a firearm and person prohibited from possessing a firearm. A change of plea hearing is set for June 6. The court set a blanket bond in the amount of $10,000 cash/surety with the condition of in-patient substance abuse program.
In-person sentencing was held in the case the State vs Joshua VanReenen, 36, of Hillsboro, wherein defense counsel asked for alternative sentencing of probation. The state objected due to the fact that the defendant did not complete a pre-trial diversion period and violated the terms of the plea agreement. VanReenen was sentenced to a determinate sentence of five years in the custody of the WVDOCR. The court recommends substance abuse treatment while in custody. A fine of $2,500 was imposed, and the defendant was given credit for 113 days’ time served. He was remanded to custody.
The State withdrew a petition to revoke the pre-trial diversion in its case against Virginia Hall, 42, of Hillsboro, but indicated that the defendant may have tested positive for drugs, but there was no proof available at the time.
A trial de novo (new trial) is scheduled for June 7 in the case the State vs Gregory Ryan Keatley, 41, of Marlinton.
Justin R. Arbogast, 35, of Valley Head, asked that the court set his trial jointly with the co-defendant. Arbogast was indicted on one count, attempted entry of a dwelling or outbuilding; and one count, conspiracy to commit a felony.
A change of plea hearing was held in the case the State vs Wendell Edward Johnson, 55, of Cass, wherein defense counsel asked for a continuance as she had prepared two written pleas of guilty for two different types of plea and they have not been reviewed. The matter is continued to June 6. Johnson was indicted on one count, wanton endangerment involving a firearm; and one count, obstructing an officer.
A final pre-trial hearing was held in the case the State vs Skylar Tincher, 24, of Buckeye, wherein counsel of record could not give a definite answer as to the status of the trial. Tincher was indicted by the December 2022 Grand Jury on one count malicious assault; one count, attempted murder; one count, use or presentation of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Christina Giese 42, of Arbovale, appeared for her arraignment and pleaded not guilty to one count, burglary; one count, trespassing; and one count, de- struction of property. Giese remains on previous bond.
An in-person plea hearing was held in the case the State vs Tanner Moore, 27, of Marlinton, wherein defense counsel made a motion to continue the trial in this matter due to medical reasons. The State did not object if the trial will still be held in this term of court. Final pre-trial conference is set for July 17 and the five-day trial is scheduled for July 22. Moore was indicted by the December 2022 Grand Jury on one count, first degree murder; and one count, use or presentation of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Sheena E. Crites, 39, of Durbin, successfully completed the drug court program. She withdrew her plea and the court dismissed the charges.