Alex Wayne Pyles

Alex Wayne Pyles, charged with two counts of sexual assault, is competent to stand trial. This is according to results of a psychological examination which were read Monday morning by Judge Mark Karl in Wetzel County Circuit Court.

Pyles, 23, of HC 60 Box 99, Valley Manor Apt. 14, Pine Grove, was examined by Fremouw-Sigley Psychological Associates of Morgantown, W.Va. Judge Karl said that the results of the examination stated that Pyles, besides being competent to stand trial, was also criminally responsible for his actions.

As for other new business in the case, Special Prosecuting Attorney Carl Worthy Paul brought up the fact that there was an outstanding motion to remove him as prosecution in the case.

Paul’s concerns stem from an Aug. 28 hearing in which there was testimony by Mary Pyles Shrebe, mother of Pyles. Jeremiah Gardner, who was Pyles’ attorney at the time, had stated that Shrebe wished to testify to events allegedly involving words spoken by Paul to Pyles which, in effect, led to the defense’s motion to recuse the Wetzel County Prosecutor’s Office from the case.

Shrebe’s allegations had stemmed from Pyles’ magistrate hearing for allegedly intimidating a witness in his current felony case in Wetzel County Circuit Court. Shrebe testified that Paul told her son at that time, “If one hair on my witness’s head is touched, your life as you know it will end.”

The prosecution argued that Paul was only doing his job by reminding Pyles that if the witness in the case is harmed, Pyles is going to jail. Prosecutor Tim Haught had argued that Pyles was charged with sexual assault and he had been accused of threatening the life of a complaining witness. This, combined with the magistrate charge of intimidating a witness, make Paul’s admonition understandable, Haught had said.

On Monday however, newly appointed attorney Hart brushed the incident aside, stating that it had all been a misunderstanding.

Hart then brought up the pending motion to reinstate Pyles’ bond. Hearings had been held on this specific matter on both July 16 and July 31.

At the first hearing, a juvenile witness was called to the stand by Paul. The alleged victim stated that she was threatened by Pyles who stated that upon his release from prison, he would harm her. The victim stated that though she never had direct contact with Pyles, she talked to him through Facebook and texting. She was not directly threatened by Pyles, but had heard rumors through those close to her that he had threatened her.

At the July 31 hearing another juvenile witness was called to the stand by Paul. This witness had stated that upon walking home from school one day, Pyles approached her and said that if he went to jail, he would kill her cousin. The criminal complaint concerning the threat was filed May 24.

On Monday, Hart argued that the criminal complaint in these alleged incidents had been filed much later after the incidents had allegedly occurred. Furthermore, Hart argued that keeping Pyles in prison was a burden on taxpayers. If Pyles is released, Hart said he would stay at a relative’s house.

Pyles is scheduled to return to court on Nov. 27 at 10 a.m.