A non-jury trial in the case the State vs William White Williams was held August 14 before the Honorable Judge Jennifer P. Dent.
Greenbrier County Prosecuting Attorney Patrick Via was appointed Special Prosecutor for this case.
Williams, 70, of Mountain City, Tennessee, was arrested and charged with battery December 16, 2015, at National Alliance headquarters in Mill Point.
According to courtroom trial notes from Pocahontas County Circuit Clerk Connie Carr, defense counsel Laura Finch asked for an acquittal in the case because of discrepancies with the main witness. The court denied the motion.
The state admitted nine exhibits into evidence; the defense admitted 10.
Williams took the witness stand and stated that he has been chairman of the National Alliance since October 2014, and is president and treasurer of the board of directors. He spends his time in Tennessee where the organization’s Vanguard Books is located.
Upon review of all the testimony and evidence, and after closing arguments of counsel, the court found Williams guilty of battery.
Sentencing and disposition is set for October 10.
Williams remains on bond and will be allowed to reside in Tennessee. He is to remove all posts on the Internet regarding the victim and is to have no contact with the same.
The following hearings were held August 15 before the Honorable Judge Robert E. Richardson:
In arraignment hearings:
Stephen L. Bennett, 39, of Marlinton, pleaded not guilty to one count, grand larceny. Pretrial status conference is set for October 3. Bennett remains on current bond.
Jamie W. Sites, 41, of Circleville, pleaded not guilty to one count, possession with intent to deliver a Schedule II controlled non-narcotic substance, one count; possession with intent to deliver a Schedule I controlled non-narcotic substance; and one count, person prohibited from possessing a firearm. Pre-trial status conference is set for October 3. Sites remains on previously posted bond with the same terms and conditions.
Timothy Lee Queen, 31, of Bartow, was not served notice of hearing by the Process Server, therefore the state requested the arraignment be continued.
Kenny D. Feury, Jr., 39, of White Sulphur Springs, pleaded not guilty to one count, grand larceny; and one count, destruction of property. The court granted a defense motion to reduce Feury’s bond from $25,000, cash or surety, to $2,500, cash or surety. Feury was remanded to custody of the Regional Jail Authority.
Robbie C. Sipe, 26, of Bartow, pleaded not guilty to one count, possession with intent to deliver a Schedule II controlled non-narcotic substance; and one count, possession with intent to deliver a Schedule III controlled non-narcotic sub- stance. Bond was set at $25,000 cash or surety, or 10 percent cash, 90 percent personal recognizance.
Counsel has not been appointed for Charles Calhoun, 33, of Marlinton. Calhoun was not present for the hearing as he had not been served notice by the Process Server. The state asked for a continuance. Calhoun was indicted on one count, burning personal property of another; arson in the third degree.
A status conference was held in the case the State vs Amanda Bennett, 32, of Marlinton, who initially did not appear, and moved to issue a capias. The court allowed Bennett until 11 a.m. to appear, and she complied. Defense asked to rescind bond modification that was earlier approved. Bennett will remain on bond with Lightner Bonding Company. Bennett was indicted on one count, delivery of a Schedule II, controlled non-narcotic substance.
The court granted a defense motion for the Grand Jury transcript in the case the State vs Gregory Keatley, 35, of Marlinton. The state and defense are conferring on a motion for severance. A status conference/motions hearing is set for September 12. Keatley was indicted on delivery of a Schedule II controlled non-narcotic sub- stance and three counts delivery of a Schedule III controlled substance.
A final pre-trial conference was held in the case the State vs Chastady Dawn Talkington, 34, of Elkins, wherein defense counsel related that an audio recording is unreliable and inaudible. The court ruled that the recording is relevant to the proceedings, and that the audio recording could be transcribed. Trial is set for September 13. Talkington was indicted on one count, delivery of a Schedule III controlled substance.
Jacob Owen Gragg, 19, of Slaty Fork, was found to be competent to stand trial. Jury trial is set for November 26. Gragg was indicted on one count, sexual assault in the first degree; one count, sexual abuse in the first degree; and one count, incest.the state
