NEW MARTINSVILLE – Additional hearings for two different sex abuse cases were held Nov. 21-22 in Wetzel County Circuit Court.

A hearing was held Nov. 22 for Joseph Ward, the New Martinsville man charged with 32 counts of sexual abuse against children. Ward, 70, appeared before Wetzel County Circuit Court Judge Richard Wilson for a combined voluntariness hearing and a 404(b) evidence hearing.

The hearing began open to the public. Ward’s attorney, Robert McCoid, requested that the hearing be closed and the courtroom gallery be cleared.

The state, represented by Marshall County Assistant Prosecutors Andrea Poling and Eric Gordon, did not object and Wilson granted McCoid’s request. Everyone in the gallery was then asked to leave.

Ward was charged by the May 2024 Wetzel County Grand Jury in two separate indictments with 32 felony counts alleging sexual crimes against children. He has already pleaded innocent to the charges. In addition to McCoid, Ward is also represented by Kevin Neiswonger. Ward is free on bond. A trial date has not been set. Ward remains free on bond.

Meanwhile, on Nov. 21, a pre-trial hearing was held for Abdul Kahar Al-Janaby, 43, of New Martinsville, who was indicted last May on 24 felony counts of sex-related crimes against children. He pleaded innocent to the charges.

During the latest hearing, Wilson denied a request from the defense to conduct a pre-trial interview of the victim in the case.

Al-Janaby’s trial is still set for 9 a.m. Dec. 9.

The state is represented by Marshall County Assistant Prosecutors Andrea Poling and Eric Gordon. Janaby’s attorneys are Roger Curry, Martin Sheehan and Andy Mendelson. The victim’s guardian ad litem is David White. Al-Janaby remains free on bond