Judge David Hummel Has Busy Day In Court

James Ray Thompson
On Friday, June 2 the Honorable Judge David W. Hummel, Jr. heard several cases, one of which involved sexual crimes against a minor. Another involved a sex offender who possessed sexual material of minors.
Tyler James Nice, 25, of New Martinsville appeared in court with his Attorney Brent Ferro to face a probation revocation. Nice wished to proceed with a plea to an information to avoid a grand jury indictment. He had been on probation but admitted to being in violation by having an unregistered cell phone which contained sexually explicit material of minor children and selfies of himself.
He admitted to the offenses and said he had an attraction for young children and had received counseling, but it didn’t help. He also said he had no preference when it came to male or female children.
After finding Nice competent, Judge Hummel revoked his probation and sentenced him to an effective 10 years in prison. Upon release from prison, he will be placed on 30 years supervised probation and required to register for life as a sex offender.
James Ray Thompson, 36, of Wetzel County represented by Brent Ferro had previously pleaded guilty to a plea agreement to three felony counts of Sexual assault, Sexual Assault by a custodian and Incest. He was in court on Friday for sentencing. Thompson admitted to the crimes which occurred nearly 17 years ago. At Friday’s sentencing he spoke on his own behalf, saying he was sorry for what he had none, and if he could take it back he would. He asked the court for leniency and probation. His attorney also spoke for him saying this was Thompson’s only offenses ever and there have been none since.

Tyler James Nice
Thompson’s wife and children also spoke highly of him and asked the court to consider his love for his family and their love for him.
Judge Hummel called the crimes heinous and monstrous. He said based on the testimony of Thompson’s family he believed there was a good James Thompson but there is also a monstrous James Thompson.
Hummel sentenced Thompson to an effective sentence of not less than 15 to 35 years in the Division of Corrections. Hummel noted that the sentence is light, considering Thompson had taken away the child’s innocence, and “she can never have that back.”
Thompson was remanded to the West Virginia Divisions of Corrections to begin his sentence of 15 to 35 years.
Upon release he will have seven years supervised probation and will have to register as a sex offender for life. He will also have 20 to 30 years hanging over him during his probation.
Also, Robert Greathouse, 40, of Pine Grove appeared in court on Friday alongside his attorney Brent Ferro for an information hearing. Greathouse was accused of two felony counts of entry of a building other than a dwelling and grand larceny. He pleaded guilty to the crimes on Friday to avoid a grand jury indictment, and he also waived a preliminary hearing. Per a plea agreement, Greathouse admitted to stealing two “side-by-side,” along with two other people. The incident happened near Pine Grove. Greathouse pleaded guilty to both charges which carry sentences of one to 10 years in prison. Greathouse told the court he performed the act because he owed the other man involved for drugs and this would have taken care of that debt. He also had a prior conviction and did five years in prison. He was remanded to jail and ordered to return to court on July 7, at 1:30 p.m. for sentencing. He will also be responsible for restitution to the victim.
Edmund E. Wise, 26 of Wetzel County, was also in court on Friday for an information in his case, charging him with Unlawful Assault, a felony which carries a penalty of one to five years in prison. Wise, alongside his attorney Brent Ferro, waived the grand jury indictment and agreed to enter into a plea agreement, which reduced the original charge of unlawful malicious assault.
In court on Friday, Wise admitted to knocking the victim unconscious after an argument and after the victim had allegedly grabbed a knife. Wise said he was very intoxicated at the time. The incident happened at Wise’s residence in the Doolin Run Area. Wise was remanded to jail and ordered to return for sentencing on July 7, at 2 p.m.
Myron A. Helmick, 29, alongside his attorney Shane Mallett, appeared on a petition to revoke probation. Helmick admitted to the violations saying he was addicted to drugs and he had taken methamphetamine. He was sentenced to one to five years in prison with eligibility for parole after one year. He will be able to petition the court for a rule 35 reduction.
Nancy Lynch appeared in court on Friday for a withdrawal of a felony plea. Lynch had served some time for drug-related crimes and has been through drug court. She has been the model candidate according to the Wetzel County Probation office and was commended for her willingness to overcome her faults and once again go back into society with a clean slate.
Judge Hummel spoke to Lynch who told him she knew she was wrong in what she did. She said she has been to nursing school and received her license. Judge Hummel reminded her of the time he sent her to jail and also that she was pregnant at the time. He also mentioned letting her out for Christmas.
Hummel told Lynch he was very proud of her for overcoming a bad situation and he was going to give her a clean slate, which included taking away her misdemeanour charge as well.
Prosecutor Tim Haught also had good words about Lynch and was in agreement that she be able to start with a clean slate. He said it isn’t often someone gets that chance but he felt she was deserving of it.
Lynch spoke candidly to the court and addressed them in a clear demeanor. She said she understood she had done wrong, had paid her price and wants to make something of herself.
- Tyler James Nice