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Bassett will not be retried in Tyler

By Staff | Nov 11, 2009

A Middlebourne man will not face a retrial after a trial earlier this year resulted in a hung jury.

Ronald L. Bassett, 40, of Route 1 Box 242, was facing a 14-count indictment alleging various sexual offenses perpetrated against his daughter in July 2006, including sexual abuse in the first degree, sexual abuse by a parent, and indecent exposure, among others. However, a mistrial was declared in May after four days of testimony and deliberation by a jury that could not come to an agreement on Bassett’s guilt or innocence.

On Monday, Prosecuting Attorney Luke Furbee informed Judge Mark Karl that after an extensive consultation, the state is not electing for a retrial.

Furbee stated the victim has picked up pieces of her life and is moving on. “Another trial will do more harm than good. The state would like to put this matter to rest after three years,” stated Furbee.

Due to a prior conviction in 1995, Bassett has already been ordered to register as a sexual offender.

In another matter, Karl revoked the probation of Kevin J. Wright, 45, of P.O. Box 63, Shirley, in Tyler County Circuit Court Monday afternoon.

The decision came after hearing testimony and evidence on Sept. 29.

Wright was charged with battery on May 10 while on probation for a charge of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to deliver for which he was indicted in February 2008.

On Monday, Defense Attorney Roger Weese told Karl that Wright spent a total of 85 days in jail for the battery charge and was released on probation. However, Karl revoked his probation, giving him credit for time served and he was sent back to jail to serve out the remainder of his sentence.

“You do understand that you are going to prison Mr. Wright,” asked Karl.

Wright replied, “Yes I do.”

After spending 10 months in the North Central Regional Jail, bond was reduced for Shawn W. Long, 39, of P.O. Box 145 Middlebourne.

Long, charged with three counts of second offense of battery on a police officer in 2008, had his bond originally set at $125,000.

Karl reduced Long’s formal bond to $50,000 Monday in response to a motion filed by Public Defender John Gainer at his last hearing on Oct. 21.

Karl asked, “Where will you be staying if I release you from jail?”

Long replied that he will be staying with his mother who lives on Old State Road.

Karl ordered Long to not have any contact with witnesses in his case. He explained it is costing the State of West Virginia $13,500 per year to keep Long in jail.

Long’s release was granted and he was ordered to report to Probation Officer John Lantz before he left the court room.

Carol S. Stewart, 47, of Middlebourne Manor, appeared before Karl after serving six months of her one to three year sentence for one felony count of delivery of a controlled substance and three counts of contributing to a minor in May of this year.

She was indicted by the Grand Jury on Feb. 10, 2009.

Stewart will be released on Dec. 1 and placed on home confinement. Karl ordered her to pay the $50 hook-up fee plus the daily fee for home confinement.

George Ash, 46, of Rt. 1 Box 641, Greenwood, appeared in person to entered a plea of not guilty on charges for a three-count indictment of operating or attempting to operate a clandestine drug laboratory, possession of substances to be used as precursor to manufacture methamphetamine and exposure of children to methamphetamine manufacturing.

His case is continued until Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Douglas Carson, 50, no address given, appeared in court for failure to pay child support. Karl ordered him to fill an income eligibility form to obtain a public defender. He will return to court on Dec. 23.

Kevin D. Leek, 33, of P.O. Box 202, Middlebourne, appeared with his attorney to face three felony counts of breaking and entering a building other than a dwelling and three misdemeanor counts of petit larceny.

He is currently being housed in the St. Marys Correctional Facility.

He is to return on Dec. 2 at 1:30 p.m.

William B. Neff, 36, of Rt. 1 Box 232, Middlebourne, last appeared on Sept. 24. Neff was apprehended Aug. 10 for manufacturing a controlled substance. Neff’s public defender, Gainer, recommended that his case be continued to give Neff time to obtain new counsel.

He is to return back on Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Joshua L. Hunter, 30, of P.O. Box 508, Middlebourne, is charged with one felony count of driving under the influence of alcohol (third offense), one misdemeanor charge of driving while revoked for DUI (second offense) and one misdemeanor charge of possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.

Hunter last appeared in front of Karl on Oct. 9 and at that time he waived his right to a speedy trail. Bond has been continued and he is to return back to court on Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Diana Ash, 46, of Rt. 1 Box 641, Greenwood, appeared in person along with her attorney, Kevin Neiswonger. She is charged with a three-count indictment for operating or attempting to operate a clandestine drug laboratory, possession of substances to be used as precursor to manufacture Methamphetamine and exposure of children to methamphetamine manufacturing.

She was released on bond and is to return back on Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Timothy J. Judge, 28, of 302 Tyler Highway, Sistersville, appeared in person to face a felony charge of breaking and entering a building other than a dwelling and a misdemeanor charge of petit larceny.

On Monday he entered a plea of not guilty. His bond previously posted in Magistrate Court was continued.

He was ordered to return back in court on Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Jessica Cooper-Boor, 25, of 302 Staley St., Middlebourne, appeared in court to face one felony count of possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) with intent to deliver and one felony count of possession of a controlled substance (heroin) with intent to deliver to which she pleaded not guilty.

Boor’s bond posted in magistrate court was continued and she was ordered to return back to court on Dec. 2 at 1:30 p.m.

Christopher A. Olszewski, 22, of 405 Hardman St., Middlebourne, was in court to face one felony count of possession of a controlled substance (marijuana) with intent to deliver and a felony count of possession of a controlled substance (herion) with intent to deliver.

His case was continued and he is to return back to court on Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Samuel Wade, 30, of HC 74 Box 13C, Alma, appeared faced a felony charge of embezzlement and a felony count of obtaining money by false pretenses on Monday afternoon.

Wade entered a plea of not guilty and was ordered to return to court on Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Robert L. Sherman, 58, of Smith Ridge Road, Sistersville, appeared in person to face a felony charge of manufacturing a controlled substance and a misdemeanor charge of possession of a controlled substance. He entered a plea of not guilty and is to return back on Dec. 2 at 1:30 p.m.

Due to illness reported to the court by his attorney, John Butler, Sabastian J.E. Rosenlieb, 19, of 431 North Railroad, Sistersville, did not appear in person to face the charges against him.

Rosenlieb is charged with felony attempted murder, felony malicious assault and one misdemeanor charge of reckless driving. He is scheduled to return on Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Jeremiah R. Anderson, 23, of HC 61 Box 55A, Knob Fork, appeared in person for a felony charge of breaking and entering a building other than a dwelling, a misdemeanor charge of petit larceny, a felony charge of attempted breaking and entering a building other than a dwelling and a misdemeanor charge of destruction of property.

Alongside his attorney, Anderson entered into a not guilty plea. He is to return to court on Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Brenda D. Shreves, 58, of 1093 Tyler Highway, Sistersville, appeared in person for two felony charges of delivery of a controlled substance and one felony charge of manufacturing of a controlled substance.

She is to return to court on Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Mary Elizabeth Drawby, 36, of 1093 Tyler Highway, Sistersville, appeared in person to enter a plea of not guilty to a felony charge of delivery of a controlled substance and a felony charge of manufacturing of a controlled substance.

Drawby is to return back in court on Dec. 2 at 1:30 p.m.

Joshua T. Jenkins, 27, of Parkersburg, appeared in person on a felony charge of delivery of a controlled substance and a felony charge of possession of a controlled substance.

Furbee informed the court that Jenkins has charges pending in other counties. He is to return back to court on Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Jessica Schoolcraft, 22, of 535 Pleasant Hill Drive, Richmond, Va., appeared in person on a felony charge of attempted breaking and entering a building other than a dwelling.

She is to return on Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Kimberly Rial, 20, of 28 Rose St. Lot 79 N., New Martinsville, appeared in person on two felony charges of breaking and entering a building other than a dwelling, one felony charge of petit larceny and a misdemeanor charge of destruction of property.

Rial is to return back on Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Colby Justin Acree, 19, of 317 Main St. Middlebourne, appeared in person on two felony charges of conspiracy.

Acree entered a plea of not guilty plea and is to return back on Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Jessica E. Grimes, 29, of 237 Klondike Ave., Sistersville, appeared in person on Monday. She is charged with three felony charges of breaking and entering a building other than a dwelling and three misdemeanor charges of petit larceny.

Grimes is to return to court on Nov. 23 at 1:30 p.m.