The following hearings were recently held in Pocahontas County Circuit Court before the Honorable Judges Robert E. Richardson and Jennifer P. Dent:
A pre-trial status hearing was held in the case the State vs Karlee Scheimreif, 42, of Slaty Fork, wherein defense counsel advised the court that they have more discovery to review. The court granted a continuance of 30 to 45 days. Scheimreif was indicted on one count, malicious assault.
A discussion about special juror questionnaires took place at a hearing for Franklin Cook, 66, of Caldwell. A revised version of the questionnaire will be provided to the court. 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.
A continuance was granted in the case the State vs Ayden Carroll, 21, of Cass, due to an impending change of prosecuting attorneys. Carroll was indicted on four counts, sexual assault in the third degree; and two counts, sexual abuse, third degree.
Mason Slava Walker, 24, of Hillsboro appeared by video from the Southern Regional Jail for his arraignment hearing. Walker pleaded not guilty to one count, murder in the first degree; one count, use or presentment of a firearm during the commission of a felony; one count, person prohibited from possessing a firearm. No bond was set.
Randall Moore, 44, of Arbovale, appeared by video from the Tygart Valley Regional Jail for his arraignment. Moore pleaded not guilty to one count, murder in the first degree
Sherry L. Carpenter, 60, of Marlinton, did not appear for her arraignment hearing. An arrest warrant is outstanding. Carpenter was indicted on one count, stalking, second offense.
Christopher M. Waybright, 40, of Arbovale, was placed on probation with the condition of completion of the Southeastern Drug Court Program. A jury found Waybright guilty of grand larceny.
Jessica Snelson, 43, of Elkins, waived her right to an evidentiary hearing and admitted to violating her probation. The court re-imposed the original sentence in regional jail. Snelson was given credit for time served and is to self-report to Tygart Valley Regional Jail by 11 a.m. October 30, 2024.
In the case the State vs Eli Pritt, 24, of Marlinton, a hearing was held on the defendant being returned as unfit for Anthony Correctional Center. Defense counsel asked for sentencing that day. The Court stated that the defendant and his counsel needed to go over the pre-sentence investigation report that was prepared in December 2023. Sentencing hearing is set for September 11. Pritt is being held at the regional jail pending sentencing.
Tommy Schoolcraft, 40, of Buckeye, tendered a written plea agreement to the court wherein he pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor offense of domestic battery. In the agreement, the State will dismiss all other counts of the indictment. The matter is set for acceptance of plea, sentencing and disposition October 23.
Virginia Hall, 42, of Hillsboro, failed to appear for a hearing on petition to revoke deferred adjudication. A capias was issued.
A change of plea hearing is set for November 4 in the case the State vs Christina Giese, 42, of Arbovale. Giese was indicted on one count, burglary; one count, trespassing; and one count, destruction of property.
Roy Lynn Walker, 58, of Hillsboro, appeared by video from the Tygart Valley Regional Jail for his arraignment hearing. Walker pleaded not guilty to one count, harassment; one count, intimidation of and against public officers and employees; three counts, indecent exposure. Bond was set at $20,000 personal recognizance (PR), subject to GPS monitoring on Pocahontas County Home Confinement Program and no direct or indirect, physical or verbal contact with alleged victims.
Harley Lennon Squires, 36, of Hillsboro, appeared for his arraignment wherein he pleaded not guilty to one count, malicious assault. Bond was set at $5,000 PR with the added condition that the defendant may travel outside of the state for healthcare.
David Bradley Moyers, 42, of Durbin, failed to appear for his arraignment. A capias was issued. Moyers was indicted on two counts, driving while license revoked for driving under the influence of alcohol, third or subsequent offense; one count, assault; one count, destruction of property; one count, brandishing a deadly weapon.
Robert Hall, 67, of Hillsboro, appeared for his arraignment and tendered an affidavit for appointment of counsel to the court. The Court appointed the public defender. Hall pleaded not guilty to one count, person prohibited from possessing a firearm. Bond was set at $1,000 PR with the added condition that the defendant will be allowed to travel out of state for healthcare.
Steven K. Bennett, 49, of Green Bank, waived his right to an evidentiary hearing and stipulated to the allegations in the petition to revoke alternative sentencing of home confinement. The State relates that the defendant has served most of the time he was initially sentenced to, and the Court accepted the relinquishment of the initial sentence and sentenced Bennett to 120 days in the Regional Jail with credit for jail time and home confinement time served. Bennett was remanded to custody.
Christopher Gibson, 47, of Buckeye, failed to appear for his arraignment, and a capias was issued.