The following hearings were recently held before the Honorable Judges Robert E. Richardson and Jennifer P. Dent:
Jury trial is set for February 26, 2025 in the case the State vs Dakota Aaron Beverage, 27, of Marlinton. Beverage was indicted on one count, cruelty to animals; one count, wanton endangerment involving a firearm; one count, shooting across road; one count, shooting within 500 feet of a dwelling house; and one count, use or presentation of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Virginia Hall, 42, of Hillsboro, admitted to allegations in the petition to revoke deferred adjudication. The defendant waived her right to a hearing. Parties are agreeable for Hall to enter the Southeastern Drug Court Program. The court extended the deferred adjudication for 18 months to allow Hall to participate in the drug court program. Hall had pleaded guilty to the felony offense of grand larceny and was placed on one-year deferred adjudication at the time.
Thomas Schoolcraft, 40, of Buckeye, tendered a plea agreement to the court wherein he pleaded guilty to domestic battery, a misdemeanor. He was sentenced to 46 days in the Regional Jail and was given 46 days for time served. No fine.
Negotiations are ongoing in the case the State vs Robert Hall, 68, of Hillsboro. Hall waived his right to a speedy trial during this term of court. He was indicted on one count, person prohibited from possessing a firearm.
Roy Lynn Walker, 58, of Hillsboro, appeared by video from the Tygart Valley Regional Jail for a status hearing wherein the parties related that plea negotiations are ongoing. Walker was indicted on one count, harassment; one count, intimidation of and against public officers and employees; and three counts, indecent exposure.
A status hearing was held in the case the State vs Harley Lennon Squires, 36, of Hillsboro wherein defense counsel filed a motion to quash the indictment. Court sets the motion hearing for January 30, 2025. Squires was indicted on one count, malicious assault.
In the case the State vs Steven Good, 32, of Durbin, defense counsel advised the court that the defendant has filled out several applications for drug treatment programs but has not been successful because he did not have positive drug screens. The state asked that the matter be continued for two weeks to allow the defendant to gain entry to a rehab facility.
A change of plea hearing was held in the case the State vs Courtney Fay Wilfong, 38, of Marlinton, wherein the defendant pleaded guilty to the felony offense of burglary, the felony offense of conspiracy and the misdemeanor offense of receiving or transferring stolen goods, and by agreement, adjudication of the plea will be deferred and the defendant will enter the Southeastern Drug Court Program. The court granted the state’s motion to dismiss Counts III, IV and VI without prejudice.
In person sentencing was held in the case the State vs Taylor Cook, wherein defense counsel asked for alternative sentencing of home incarceration. The State objected and related that the defendant has very serious charges and has no remorse for his actions. The State is asking for restitution in the amount of $476.98. The court denied alternative sentencing, and sentenced Cook to one year in the regional jail as to Count II, destruction of property, with 140 days of credit for time served. Restitution is owed in the amount of $476.98. Cook was also sentenced to not less than two years nor more than 10 years in each of Counts III, IV and V of the indictment. Count II and Count III shall run concurrently. Counts IV and V shall run consecutively. Cook was remanded to custody.
Christina Giese, 42, of Arbovale, was sentenced to one year in the regional jail with restitution to be paid in the amount of $675.00 for damages to the house and contents. Giese was remanded to custody. Giese pleaded guilty in September to one Count, trespassing, and one Count, destruction of property.
