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Goddard Sent To Drug Court

By Staff | May 28, 2014

BY LAUREN MATTHEWS

Staff Writer

Andrew Roy Goddard, 20, of HC 60 Box 12A, New Martinsville, was released from prison on Tuesday after successfully completing 90 days in jail.

A motion for reduction in sentence had been filed by Goddard’s attorney, Kevin Neiswonger.

Pursuant to the plea agreement entered into on April 23, Goddard will be released to drug court. If Goddard successfully completes drug court, he can withdraw the plea of guilt he submitted to the court. Neiswonger reported that his client has been “clean and sober” for a while.

On April 23, Prosecutor Timothy Haught reported that on Jan. 21 the Emergency Medical Service was called to Goddard’s residence. The EMS workers found a spoon, IV, and residue, so they called the police. Deputy Roger Spragg asked the owner, Goddard’s mother, if he could search the residence. Haught reported that she assisted in the search. The reportedly found 37 stamps of heroin in a medicine bottle marked, “Sell.”

Defense Attorney Kevin Neiswonger told the court on April 23 that some of the “facts” of the case are in dispute. He claimed the family did not consent or assist in a search. Also, Goddard claimed he had written “Sell” on the bottle as a trick to his parents-thinking if they found it, they would not consider it his to use. Neiswonger said his client admitted the marking was “stupid.”

“Everything I’ve heard him do so far is stupid,” replied Judge Hummel at that April court date.

Goddard has since completed a rehabilitation program in Las Vegas, Nev. “I had enough of it after I overdosed this year,” Goddard told the judge. He added that after he got over the major sickness from detoxing, he has been headstrong enough to stay away from drugs.

He told Hummel he started using Percocet in high school, but it got too expensive. He then turned to heroin, marijuana, and Xanax. At the time of his overdose, Goddard said he was using 50 or more stamps of heroin a day.

In another matter, Christopher Lee Leek, 27, of 33 Ross Street, New Martinsville, appeared in court on a motion for bond reduction. Leek was charged on April 11 with possession with intent to deliver a Schedule I controlled substance. Bond was set at $30,000 at that time.

Attorney Jeremiah Gardner argued on behalf of his client, requesting that the court set a surety bond. “My client has a home,” Gardner stated, adding: “not in his name. It’s been paid off . . . He has two children . . . The home is located in Wetzel County. He has ties to the community. He’s been engaged to this woman for 10 years, and the woman says she will post bond for him. We’d just ask for a surety bond in this case.”

Prosecuting Attorney Haught stated that the state’s position is that they oppose a reduction in bond, “the principle reason in that, he’s been on our radar for over a year.”

Haught added that he believes that Leek poses “a clear and present danger to the citizens of Wetzel County, as he was purchasing bath salts through the mail.

Gardner argued that the risk of “this occurring again is very slim, so I’d just ask that a surety bond be put into place and his house is in the community.”

Hummel ruled that bond be set at $50,000 surety, but not property, through a professional bondsman.

In another matter, it appears as if a resolution is imminent in the case involving Chelsea Briggs, 24, of 368 Virginia Street, New Martinsville. Attorney Kevin Neiswonger stated that a meeting needs to be held with the state in the matter. “We’ve talked about the case a significant number of times,” Neiswonger noted.

On Jan. 24, Briggs entered a plea of innocence to her charges of murder and delivery of a controlled narcotic substance (heroin).

A trial date was set for July 11, just in case a resolution is not reached prior to then.

In another matter, the court was informed by Attorney Gardner that his client, Larry Virgil Watson Sr., is currently in hospice and that any transportation Watson makes would require an ambulance.

The court’s chief probation officer, John D. Lantz, agreed to Gardner’s statements, adding that Watson is confined to his bed.