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Several Defendants Appear Before Judge Karl

By Staff | Aug 25, 2010

Wayne A. McCaman, 46, of 46 Anson Street, Apt. 4, New Martinsville, appeared before Judge Mark A. Karl in Wetzel County Circuit Court for a hearing last week regarding his one-count indictment. Wetzel County Prosecutor Tim Haught noted the state has extended a plea offer but it is contingent on Adult Probation Officer John Lantz’s agreement to supervise McCaman for one year.

Haught also commented the state never received medical records from McCaman as expected. Jeremiah Gardner, McCaman’s attorney, then stated he did have a letter regarding McCaman’s medical conditions to pass along to the state.

Gardner asked the case be continued in hopes of coming to a resolution at the next hearing. Judge Karl set a return date for Aug. 25 at 1:30 p.m.

On June 16 the court entered an innocent plea to McCaman’s one-count indictment of driving while license suspended or revoked for DUI-third or subsequent offense. His charge is said to have occurred on or about April 14 wherein McCaman unlawfully operated a motor vehicle in an inebriated state upon a public highway (Ironton Street and Mound Street in New Martinsville) when his privilege to do so had been suspended or revoked for DUI.

McCaman was previously convicted of the offense of driving suspended for DUI in the Magistrate Court of Wetzel County on or about Nov. 26, 2001, and Jan. 22, 2004, and in the Magistrate Court of Tyler County on or about Jan. 15, 2004.

Some matters were put on hold, however, on Aug. 19. Douglas Shane Steele, 23, of HC 61, Box 62, New Martinsville, was present for a status hearing on Aug. 19, however his attorney, Kevin Neiswonger, was on a vacation and had filed a motion with the court previously. As such, Judge Karl ordered Steele to return Aug. 25 at 1:30 p.m.

At his hearing on July 14, Prosecutor Haught shared with the court that an agreement for dismissal of Steele’s case was planned as soon as restitution in the amount of $1,700 was made for windows Steele had broken during an alleged burglary and breaking and entering. As part of the planned arrangement, Steele would be released of his indictment for helping to convict another individual. Attorney David White stated Steele was cashing annuity and that those funds should be available in the next few days. Steele is charged with three counts of delivery of a controlled substance (oxycontin) wherein on or about Oct. 29, 2009, Steele delivered in New Martinsville oxycontin, a Schedule II controlled substance, which is a narcotic drug.

Robert Eugene Morgan, 20, of 1374 Thorn Ridge Rd., Friendly, was to have a hearing on a petition to revoke probation. However his counsel, Neiswonger, was absent as previously stated. Therefore Judge Karl passed the case until Aug. 25 at 1:30 p.m.

Per his sentencing, Morgan was put on two year’s supervised probation with Adult Probation Officer John Lantz on Feb. 4 after spending time in the Anthony Center for Youthful Offenders. Morgan illustrated exemplary behavior at the center, earning his GED and a certificate in welding.

Morgan was indicted on one count of attempted entry of a building other than a dwelling, in which it is alleged on Nov. 18, 2007, he attempted to break into Norris Pharmacy in Pine Grove with intent to commit a larceny.

In the same situation as the two previous defendants listed, Eugene John Huggins, 21, of 28 Rose Street Lot 8N, New Martinsville, will return Aug. 25 at 1:30 p.m. following Attorney Kevin Neiswonger’s return from vacation.

On Feb. 5 it was made known there are allegations against Huggins of violating his probation as he tested positive for marijuana.

On Aug. 18 James Matthew Doty, 25, no address given, waived his right to a speedy trial in Wetzel County Circuit Court on Aug. 18. Judge Mark A. Karl ordered Doty return on docket day, Sept. 15, at 10 a.m. Doty’s bond continues.

On May 26 Doty entered a plea of innocence to his two-count indictment for his charges said to have occurred between April 11 and 12, wherein Doty committed the felony offense of forgery (count one) by forging the signature of Dona Neely to check number 333 issued by the said Doty on the Peoples Bank National Association account of Northern Mountain State Metals, Inc., and made payable to “Cash” in the amount of $300, which was cashed at Peoples Bank in New Martinsville. Count two charges Doty with the felony offense of uttering by attempting to employ as true the said check when Doty knew the said check was forged.

Lastly, on Aug. 20 James R. Bradley, 39, of HC 60, Box 18, Reader, waived his term of court and a return date was set for Sept. 15 at 10 a.m. He has been sentenced federally, however a plea agreement is in the works for his charges of wanton endangerment in Wetzel County Circuit Court. Bradley’s attorney, Gardner, needed time to obtain the transcript from the federal case.

On May 26 the court entered a plea of innocence on his behalf regarding his three-count indictment from Wetzel County said to have occurred on or about Jan. 31. All counts are felony charges of wanton endangerment involving a firearm wherein he allegedly pointed a firearm at Deputy R. L. Scott Jr., Deputy M. L. Koontz, and Deputy R. L. Hayes.

Bradley pleaded in federal court in Wheeling for his offenses on or about Feb. 1 wherein Bradley, having been previously convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment for at least one year, conspired to commit aggravated assault, and performed aggravated assault by a firearm. Bradley was also federally indicted and pleaded to possession of a sawed-off shotgun, which was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, on or about Feb. 1.