According to Pocahontas County Circuit Clerk Connie Carr, the following hearings were held May 13 by Skype and tele-conference before the Honorable Judge Robert E. Richardson:
The court dismissed a defense motion for the appointment of new counsel in the case the State vs Welford F. Hanks, IV, 37, of Marlinton. The defendant was not present at the hearing, and current counsel, as well as the state, knew of no reason why current counsel should be withdrawn. Welford is charged with assault. This case originated in magistrate court.
A status conference was held in the case the State vs Jesse Lee Blake, 36, of Marlinton, wherein the state related that this hearing was previously waived into the April term of court to allow for a two-part psychological evaluation and only one-half has been completed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The second half of the evaluation is scheduled for June 26, and Blake is ordered to present himself that day. The court granted a request for a reduction of home confinement fees in part and sliding scale shall apply. Blake is permitted to leave home for employment and is required to be monitored by home confinement.
A plea negotiaton has been reached, but has not been reduced to writing, in the case the State vs Noletia Gail Mayle, 36, of Marlinton. A status conference is set for June 17.
Defense counsel advised that plea negotiations are in the works in the case the State vs Dalton Cain, 19, of Marlinton.
A status conference was held in the case the State vs Phillip C. Dean, Jr., 47, of Marlinton, wherein the court advised that the results of a psychological evaluation concluded that the defendant is competent to assist counsel and to stand trial. Defense asked for another evaluation since the doctor who conducted the evaluation is now deceased. The matter is set for a status conference July 1.
A continuance was granted in the case the State vs Christina D. Green, 32, of Marlinton, as defense counsel related that the state has outstanding discovery which will be forthcoming. The court advised that any further motions are to be filed in advance of hearings.
The case, the State vs Charles R. Calhoun, 34, of Marlinton, is ready to go to trial. A date will be set when restrictions of COVID-19 have been lifted.
A status conference was held in the case the State vs Timothy Lee Queen, 32, of Bartow, wherein defense counsel asked that Queen’s guilty plea be withdrawn and that the case be dismissed as the defendant has completed the drug court program.
The case, the State vs Jamie Lee Green, 35, of Marlinton, is ready to go to trial. A date will be set when restrictions of COVID-19 have been lifted.
A status conference was held in the case the State vs Robbie C. Sipe, 28, of Bartow, wherein defense counsel asked that Sipe’s guilty plea be withdrawn and that the case be dismissed as the defendant has completed the drug court program.
The following cases were heard May 12 before the Honorable Judge Jennifer P. Dent:
The court denied a defense motion to modify bond in the case the State vs Steven T. Goode, 50, of Slaty Fork. A hearing remains on the docket for May 27 with regard to the psychological evaluation.
Greg Charles Sharp, 35, of Cass, who appeared by telephonic conference from Tygart Valley Jail, waived his right to an extradition hearing and asked to be returned to the Commonwealth of Virginia. Virginia authorities will have until May 22 to take custody of the defendant. If he is not picked up, a status hearing will be held May 27.
The following case was heard May 21 before the Honorable Judge Robert E. Richardson:
A change of plea hearing was held in the case the State vs Shawn M. Waugh, 32, of Elkins, wherein the defendant withdrew his plea of guilty to the felony offense of delivery of a Schedule III controlled substance and pleaded guilty to the lesser included misdemeanor offense of possession of a controlled substance. The court accepted the plea, and Waugh asked to proceed to sentencing. Defense counsel asked for alternative sentencing, and the State did not object as “the defendant has proven himself during the deferment period.” Waugh was sentenced to four months suspended jail and was placed on probation for nine months with the same terms and conditions of the deferred adjudication. The court granted a defense motion for relief of probation fees.
