The following hearings were recently held in Pocahontas County Circuit Court before the Honorable Judge Patrick I. Via:
In-person sentencing was held in the case the State vs. Randall Joel Moore, 45, of Arbovale, wherein the victim’s family had an opportunity to speak before the court. The State asked for the maximum prison sentence of 40 years. The court considered all the testimony from the victim’s family, counsel of record and the probation report, and sentenced Moore to the maximum sentence of 40 years. He was remanded to custody. At an October hearing, Moore had tendered an oral and written plea of guilty to the lesser offense of murder in the second degree.
Defense counsel for Michael Smith, 65, of Valley Bend, filed a motion to dismiss Count I of the indictment as they felt it didn’t fully explain the offense. The Court denied the motion but informed defense counsel to file a Bill of Particulars, if necessary. Smith waived his right to a speedy trial during this term of court. Jury trial is set for February 4, 2026.
An evidentiary hearing was held in the case the State vs Angela Turner, 51, of Marlinton, wherein the court found that the defendant had not complied with the home confinement and probation department. The court revoked probation and imposed the original sentence of not less than one nor more than three years in the WVDOCR. Turner was remanded to custody.
Jamie Witek, 43, of Elkins, tendered an oral plea of guilty to the felony count of fraudulent schemes. Sentencing is set for February 19, 2026. Witek remains on bond.
Defense counsel for Charles Robert Calhoun, 40, of Marlinton, asked for a continuance of this matter due to charges in Federal Court.
