Circuit Court

According to Pocahontas County Circuit Clerk Connie Carr, the following hearings were held April 15 before the Honorable Judge Robert E. Richardson:

In arraignments:

Jesse Lee Blake, 35, of Marlinton, pleaded not guilty to one count, burglary; two counts, destruction of property; one count burglary; and one count, obstructing an officer. Defense counsel asked that bond be set at $10,000 personal recognizance or surety. The State objected and related to the court that the defendant poses a danger to the community, and it would not object to a $50,000 bond. The court set bond at $20,000 with the added term and condition of monitored home confinement and no contact with any victims in these matters. Blake was remanded to custody and returned to the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.

Thomas E. Greenburg, 36, of Snowshoe, pleaded not guilty to one count, manufacture of a Schedule I non-narcotic substance and one count, obstructing an officer. He remains on present bond. The defendant was ordered to report to the Marlinton Detachment of the West Virginia State Police to be processed on Count II of the indictment.

Joseph D. Friel, 23, of Cass, pleaded not guilty to five counts, sexual assault in the second degree. He remains on present bond and is to have no contact with the victim.

A change of plea hearing was held in the case the State vs Melanie D. Cosner, 44, of Durbin, wherein the court was advised that the terms and conditions of the contemplated supervision period in the plea agreement cannot be reached. A continuance was granted in order to enable the defendant to comply with the terms and conditions. Cosner remains on present bond.

A capias was issued for Charles Calhoun, 33, of Marlinton, who failed to appear for his status conference.

A pretrial conference was held in the case the State vs Jacob Owen Gragg, 20, of Slaty Fork, wherein the court granted the State’s motion for appointment of a special prosecutor. Trial is continued to April 29.

Trial is set for July 22 in the case the State vs Hayes Andrew Arbogast, 51, of Elkins.