Defendants Enter Pleas Of Innocence To New Indictments
Several defendants entered pleas of innocence in Wetzel County Circuit Court on the morning of Jan. 16.
The Honorable Judge David W. Hummel set return dates for all defendants for March 8, 9 a.m. The state’s discovery was to be sent to the defense in each case by Jan. 18, and defense’s response is due on or before 2 p.m. on Jan. 31.
Sara Irene Watson, 21, of P.O. Box 125, Littleton, alongside her court-appointed attorney, David C. White, entered a plea of innocence in regards to both of her indictments. In one indictment Watson was charged with one count of nighttime burglary and one count of battery. Another, separate, indictment charges Watson with two sets of nighttime burglary and battery.
Watson’s bond, which she had already posted, was continued.
Jahna Jo Watson, 20, of P.O. Box 131, Hundred, appeared alongside White, who was stepping in for his partner, Kevin Neiswonger. Watson entered pleas of innocence to her two charges of delivery of a controlled substance, which allegedly occurred on June 6, 2011, and June 8, 2011. Watson is currently serving a home confinement sentence for crimes of breaking and entering and battery. Therefore, her bond was set for $10,000, personal recognizance.
Joy Jo Headley, 35, of HC 60, Box 44, New Martinsville, appeared in court alongside her attorney, White. Headley received two indictments from the September 2012 Grand Jury, charging her with several counts of forgery and uttering.
Prosecuting Attorney Timothy Haught reported that Headley had been incarcerated in the state of Ohio.
Furthermore, a capias had been issued for Headley’s arrest, but she was released from prison even though there was a detainer on her that Haught said apparently had not been honored. A $10,000 bond was then set by Hummel for all of Headley’s cases.
Tiffany Mae Garrison, 22, of P.O. Box 321, Littleton, alongside her attorney, Shane Mallet, entered a plea of innocence to her two sets of nighttime burglary and battery. Mallet indicated that Garrison had already posted bond.
Mallet was then tentatively appointed attorney for Trisha Lee Gorby, 27, of P.O. Box 131, Hundred, who entered a plea of innocence to her one charge of delivery of a controlled narcotic substance (morphine). Bond was set at $10,000, personal recognizance.
Chad L. Bassett, 30, of 301 Dry Run Road, Middlebourne, alongside attorney Jeremiah Gardner, entered a plea of innocence to his two counts of failure to update sex offender registry information. Gardner informed the court that Bassett had already posted $5,000 bond at the magistrate level.
Brian Leroy Wade, 49, of the Northern Regional Jail, appeared alongside attorney Gardner and entered a plea of innocence to his 11-count indictment, containing one-count of attempted entry of a building other than a dwelling, three counts of destruction of property, two counts of entry of a building other than a dwelling, two counts of petit larceny, one count of grand larceny, one count of possession of a stolen vehicle, and one count of fleeing from an officer.
Wade is currently serving a one- to 10-year sentence out of Tyler County. He is currently 10 months into his sentence; his bond was set at $40,000.
Trial dates for all defendants were set for the week of March 18; Hummel reported that those cases that are not tried or resolved that week will then move to the dates of April 15-17.
Hummel reported that he would let everyone know on March 14 which cases will go to trial the week of March 18.