Judge Mark A. Karl presided over a packed gallery in Wetzel County Circuit Court as defendants returned for Docket Day on May 11. During the hearings several trial dates were announced.

After learning plea negotiations have not been fruitful, a trial date is set for Warren Todd Wade, 46, of HC 68 Box 21, Wileyville, regarding his one-count charge of fleeing from an officer while DUI. Wade was remanded to the Northern Regional Jail and will return for trial July 6 at 9 a.m.

On Jan. 17 Wade was handed a two-count indictment this term for offenses said to have occurred in Wetzel County on or about June 7.

Count one charges Wade with the felony offense of fleeing from an officer while DUI wherein he allegedly, being under the influence of alcohol at the time, fled in a vehicle on state Route 7 from Deputy R. L. Scott Jr., who was acting in his official capacity as a deputy for the Wetzel County Sheriff’s Office, after Deputy Scott had activated his blue lights in an attempt to stop the vehicle.

Count two charges Wade with the felony offense of driving under the influence of alcohol wherein he allegedly drove a vehicle on state Route 7 while under the influence of alcohol in the above outlined incident.

On Oct. 4 Wade entered innocent pleas to a total of 11 indictments from the September term. Wade received a three-count indictment for his offenses, said to have occurred on or about Sept. 11. Counts one and two of this indictment charge Wade with the felony offense of wanton endangerment involving a firearm in that he allegedly pointed a firearm at Cpl Roger G. Spragg II and Deputy R. L. Scott Jr. in Wetzel County. Count three charges Wade with the misdemeanor offense of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in that he did possess a firearm and had been convicted of one count of grand larceny during the month of September 2007 in Wetzel County.

In his second indictment, Wade is charged with one count each of the felony offense of sexual assault in the first degree and sexual abuse by a custodian wherein between Jan. 1 and Feb. 28 Wade, being 14 years old or more, allegedly engaged in sexual intercourse with a female child, who was younger than 12 years old and was not married to Wade. Count two of the indictment alleges that between the same span of time Wade engaged in sexual intercourse with a female child under his care, custody, or control.

Wade’s third indictment charges him with one count each of the felony offense of fleeing from an officer while driving under the influence and driving under the influence of alcohol wherein on or about June 7 Wade, being under the influence of alcohol, fled in an all terrain vehicle on state Route 7 in Wetzel County from Deputy R. L. Scott Jr. after Deputy Scott had activated his blue lights in an attempt to stop the vehicle. Count two of this indictment alleges that on or about the same date Wade drove an all terrain vehicle while under the influence of alcohol.

In his fourth indictment Wade is charged with one count each of the felony offense of entry of a building other than a dwelling and grand larceny wherein between Sept. 7 and Sept. 8 Wade allegedly entered Gary Cecil Motors in New Martinsville. Count two of the indictment alleges that during that time Wade stole a Ford F-150 pick-up truck having a value of more than $1,000 belonging to Gary Cecil Motors.

Wade is also charged with one count of the felony offense of sexual abuse in the first degree wherein on or about Feb. 7, 2010, he allegedly engaged in sexual contact with a named male.

Lastly, Wade is charged with one count of the felony offense of receiving stolen goods wherein between April 28 and June 7 Wade allegedly received a stolen 2006 Kawasaki Model 750 all terrain vehicle in Wetzel County which he knew or had reason to believe had been stolen.

Several other defendants were given trial dates for this term of court:

A one-day trial is set for Justin Raymond Wyatt, 22, of 1000 Chapline Street, Wheeling, for July 12 at 9 a.m. His bond continues.

On Jan. 26 Wyatt and codefendant Jaynathan Earl Jones, 21, of New Martinsville, entered pleas of innocence to their one count indictment each of first degree robbery for their acts said to have occurred on or about Sept. 8 in Wetzel County.

Jones and Wyatt allegedly committed robbery by striking and beating a male individual and stealing that individual’s wallet and money in New Martinsville.

A new trial date is set for Amanda D. Riggs, 23, of 558 Kappel Street, New Martinsville. The minimum two-day trial will commence July 25 at 9 a.m. Similarly, codefendant Justin C. Riggs, 22, of 558 Kappel Street, New Martinsville, was also given a trial date of Aug. 1 at 9 a.m. During his hearing Attorney Brent Clyburn stated he was awaiting the ruling on three previously filed motions. Judge Karl stated the rulings would be forthcoming by June 10. Both were remanded to the NRJ.

On Jan. 26 the two entered innocent pleas to their two counts each of child abuse resulting in serious bodily injury and malicious assault, felonious offenses said to have occurred on or about Feb. 18, 2010, in Wetzel County.

Amanda and Justin Riggs allegedly abused their minor child and caused bodily injury to their child with the intent to maim, disfigure, or kill, by inflicting injuries to the child’s skull.

After court proceedings spanning two terms, a trial date is set in the case of Rodney Lee Nolan, 25, of HC 62, Box 50A, Burton. Anticipated to be a two-day trial, Nolan will return July 27 at 9 a.m. His bond continues.

Nolan is indicted on three counts of burglary alleged to have occurred between Oct. 1 and Nov. 1, 2008. Count one charges Nolan with breaking and entering the residence of Clint. W. Jones, located on County Route 66, commonly known as Harker Run Road, in Wetzel County. Count two charges him with breaking and entering the residence of William Lane and Sandra Lane, located on Long Drain/Earnshaw Road. Count three charges Nolan with breaking and entering the residence of Millar P. Cayavec, located on Higginbotham Run Road in Wetzel County.

Lastly, a trial date is also set for James Russell Webber, 66, of 83 Northgate Drive, New Martinsville, who will return for trial Aug. 29 at 9 a.m. His bond continues.

On Jan. 26 Webber entered innocent pleas to his three counts of the felony offense of solicitation to commit a felony crime of violence for his acts said to have occurred between Oct. 1 and Dec. 8 in Wetzel County.

Between the said time period Webber allegedly solicited, instigated, or induced a cooperating confidential individual to commit three felony crimes of violence, namely murders, against three men, by offering to compensate said individual for the acts of murder, providing money to purchase a firearm to conduct said murders, and discussing plans regarding said murders.