According to Pocahontas County Circuit Clerk Connie Carr, the following cases were heard February 1 before the Honorable Judge Jennifer P. Dent:
A pretrial conference was held in the case the State vs Aaron Joseph Bussard, 23, of Dunmore, wherein it was determined that new swabs and fingerprints from the defendant needed to be taken due to problems at the evidence lab. Defense counsel asked for an order to pay expert witnesses, and that all the state’s data be provided to him. Another pretrial conference is set for March 1. Defense advised that it will file a motion to bifurcate (divide in two) the trial as to the charges against his client. Bussard is charged with two counts, first degree murder, one count, grand larceny, two counts, concealment of a deceased body, two counts, fraudulent use of credit cards, and one count, fraudulent schemes.
Brian J. Adams, 58, of Charlottesville, Virginia, waived his right to a speedy trial, and the court reduced his bond to $10,000 cash. Adams is charged with one count, attempted kidnapping; one count, attempted abduction of a person. A pretrial conference is set for March 29.
The court heard a petition for revocation of probation in the case the state vs Kristopher Dale Nutter, 37, of Marlinton. An evidentiary hearing is set for February 8.
A change of plea hearing was held in the case the State vs Joshua Lee Kimble, 31, of Circleville, wherein the parties advised they were not ready to move forward with the defendant’s plea. Terms and conditions are still in the works. Defense counsel is uncertain if the defendant would be accepted into Pendleton County’s home confinement program, or if home confinement would be served in Pocahontas County. The matter is set for March 8.
A continuance was granted in the case the State vs Kenneth W. Cutlip, 58, of Marlinton. Cutlip is charged with one count, delivery of a Schedule II controlled narcotic.
A hearing to determine competency was held in the case the State vs Edwin Kinnison, 59, of Hillsboro, wherein the defendant was found competent to stand trial. Kennison is charged with one count, entering without breaking of a dwelling house, one count, sexual abuse, first degree, one count, attempted sexual assault, second degree.
A non-jury trial is set for June 1 in the case the state vs William White Williams, 69, of Mountain City, Tennessee. Patrick Via is the special prosecutor in this matter. Williams is charged with battery.
