According to Pocahontas County Circuit Clerk Connie Carr, the following hearings were held May 9 before the Honorable Judge Robert E. Richardson:
A status conference was held in the case the State vs Erica Newsome, 38, of Jacksonville, Florida, wherein the court was advised that Newsome had been found competent to stand trial and to assist counsel with her defense. Newsome is charged with disposing of a dead body, a charge which the state agreed to waive in order to extradite the defendant to the state of Florida to face a charge of murder in the second degree. Defense counsel asked for more time to confer with her client as to whether she would waive extradition or ask for another criminal responsibility evaluation. The matter is set for May 23. Newsome faces charges in Florida for the alleged murder of her 11-year-old daughter there. She was arrested near Thornwood in August 2017 while attempting to dispose of the body.
A defense motion was entered in the case the State vs Paul A. Shaver, 24, of Morgantown, wherein counsel asked that the $10,000 bond be reduced to $2,500 cash/surety. The state objected as Shaver has similar charges against him in other counties and could be a flight risk. The court reduced bond to $10,000 personal recognizance. Shaver was indicted on charges of forgery, uttering, obtaining money by false pretenses and fraudulent schemes, but pleaded not guilty at his April 25 arraignment. He was remanded to custody.
The defense attorney in the case the State vs Jacob Owen Gragg, 19, of Slaty Fork, filed a motion to withdraw as counsel. Gragg has not paid for services and cannot afford to pay. The court appointed public defender Laura Spadaro as counsel for Gragg, but she has a conflict in the matter and cannot represent him. E. L. Morgan, Jr. was appointed as counsel. Gragg was indicted on charges of sexual assault in the first degree, sexual abuse in the first degree and incest. At his arraignment hearing April 25, Gragg pleaded not guilty to all counts in the indictment. He remains on $10,000 bond.
A change of plea hearing was held in the case the State vs Russell Sharp, 32, of Marlinton, wherein the defendant tendered an agreement in which he would plead to the lesser included misdemeanor offense of battery and destruction of property. The court accepted his plea and adjudged him guilty of the same. The state asked for dismissal of the other counts in the indictment. The court dismissed the other counts with prejudice. Sharp has been incarcerated for 10 months. The court reduced his bond to $5,000 personal recognizance. He is to have no contact with the victims in this matter and will cooperate with the probation department for an appointment for an interview. If he fails to show, he will be incarcerated in the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.
A continuance was granted in the change of plea hearing in the case the State vs Christopher M. Gibson, 41, of Marlinton, to allow counsel time to explain the plea in detail to the defendant.
An extradition hearing was held in the case the State vs Arthur Adam Allen, 36, an inmate in the Denmar Correctional Center, wherein the defendant tendered an oral and written waiver of extradition. Virginia authorities have 10 days in which to pick up the defendant. Allen advised the court that his former name was Arthur Allen and his married name is Arthur Bauer.
A change of plea hearing was held April 25 in the case the State vs Morgan B. Mason, 19, of Hillsboro, wherein the defendant tendered a written plea agreement to the court agreeing to pleaded guilty to possession with intent to deliver a Schedule II controlled non-narcotic substance, and would enter the drug court program. Mason will enter the Southeastern Drug Court Program. If he completes this program, his plea can be withdrawn. The State moved to dismiss Count II of the indictment.
In arraignment hearings held April 25:
Noletia Gail Mayle, 34, of Marlinton, pleaded not guilty to delivery of a Schedule III controlled narcotic and distribution of a Schedule III controlled narcotic substance by a person 18 years of age or older within 1,000 feet of an elementary school. She remains on current $2,500 bond.
David Wayne Sharp, 55, of Marlinton, pleaded not guilty to two counts delivery of a Schedule I controlled non-narcotic substance and one count delivery of a Schedule II controlled narcotic substance. He remains on current $5,000 bond.
Amanda Bennett, 32, of Marlinton, pleaded not guilty to delivery of a Schedule II controlled non-narcotic substance. She remains on present $5,000 bond.
Robert Allen Eary, 20, of Cass, pleaded not guilty to two counts entry of a building other than a dwelling, fraudulent use of an access device, and two counts petit larceny. He remains on previously posted bond.
Melanie D. Cosner, 43, of Durbin, pleaded not guilty to two counts delivery of a Schedule II controlled non-narcotic substance and one count conspiracy to commit a felony. She remains on current $5,000 bond.
John T. Greathouse, 36, of Bartow, pleaded not guilty to delivery of a Schedule II controlled non-narcotic substance and conspiracy to commit a felony. Bond was reduced to $2,500 cash or surety. The defendant was remanded to custody.
Jonathan C. Shearer, 28, of Marlinton, pleaded not guilty to delivery of a Schedule II controlled non-narcotic substance. He remains on previously posted $5,000 bond.
Gregory Keatley, 35, of Marlinton, pleaded not guilty to delivery of a Schedule II controlled non-narcotic substance and three counts delivery of a Schedule III controlled substance. He remains on $2,500 bond.
Chastady Dawn Waugh, 33, of Elkins, pleaded not guilty to delivery of a Schedule II controlled narcotic substance. She remains on $2,500 bond.
Shawn M. Waugh, 30, of Elkins, pleaded not guilty to delivery of Schedule III controlled narcotic substance. The defendant remains on current $2,500 bond.
Roy L. Walker, 51, of Monterey, Virginia, pleaded not guilty to grand larceny. He remains on $2,500 bond.
Marissa E. Mann Bennett, 22, of Renick, pleaded not guilty to two counts child neglect creating risk of injury. She remains on bond with the condition that she continue in the drug program at Recovery Point.
