According to Pocahontas County Circuit Clerk Connie Carr, the following hearings were held January 30 and 31 before the Honorable Judge Jennifer P. Dent:
In a change of plea hearing in the case the State vs Carl Lee Kidd, 37, of Arbovale, the defendant tendered a written agreement to the court wherein he pleaded guilty to Grand Larceny, and the state dismissed a second count against him. The matter was referred to the probation department for a pre-sentence investigation.
Kimberly Vandevender, 30, of Green Bank, waived her right to an evidentiary hearing and admitted to allegations regarding pending revocation proceedings in Randolph County. The court placed the defendant on home incarceration for 30 days. Probation will resume after the 30 days is completed.
Defense council withdrew its motion for reduction of home confinement fees in the case the State vs Matthew J. Tuskan, 36, of Hillsboro.
Jeffrey Allen Hill, 52, of Lewisburg, tendered a written agreement to the court wherein he pleaded guilty to the lesser included offense of Unlawful Wounding, as a Kennedy Plea, and to Domestic Battery, second offense, and reserved the right to dispute the amount of restitution when set. During the hearing, defense council advised the court that Hill is a diabetic and that she believed he was not coherent of the matters being discussed. The court continued the plea hearing to February 27.
The court granted a continuance in the case the State vs Amanda Bennett, 32, of Marlinton, as the defendant has been referred to the Southeastern Drug Court Program. Initial assessments have been made, but more will be required. Status conference is set for February 27.
Leanna Woodhouse, 43, of Marlinton, tendered a written agreement to the court wherein she pleaded guilty, by Kennedy plea, to Delivery of a Schedule I Controlled Non-Narcotic Substance, Marijuana. The matter was referred to the probation department for a pre-sentence investigation. Sentencing is set for February 27.
The court granted a defense motion for a continuance of the evidentiary hearing in the case the State vs John Martin Stull 29, of Bartow. This is to allow time for treatment program records to be received from the probation department. The state asked to review the records, as well.
The following cases were heard February 1 before the Honorable Judge Robert E. Richardson:
Nelson Cortes, 44, an inmate in the Tygart Valley Jail, tendered a written agreement to the court wherein he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to Commit a Felony. The matter is referred to the probation department. Sentencing and disposition is set for March 27. Cortes was remanded to custody.
The court granted a defense motion for psychological evaluation of the defendant, David Edward Ryan, 47, of White Sulphur Springs, but advised counsel that evaluations need to be made more promptly before sentencing. Sentencing in this matter is set for March 13. The court denied a defense motion for post conviction bond.
A hearing to revoke alternative sentencing was held in the case the State vs Christopher M. Gibson, 41, of Marlinton, wherein the court found probable cause that the defendant had violated the terms and conditions of his probation. The matter is set for an evidentiary hearing February 20. Gibson was remanded to custody.