Karl rules in Moffitt case
After more than a year in court, Jennifer A. Moffitt, 31, of 1422 Pleasant Ridge Road, Sistersville, was sentenced to serve no less than two and no more than 10 years in the West Virginia Penitentiary for Women by Judge Mark Karl on Oct. 21.
She was charged with one count of operating a clandestine drug laboratory on July 17, 2008. Karl said he had determined probation and alternative sentencing were not appropriate in this case.
Moffitt will be given credit for time incarcerated, but will not receive credit for her time on home confinement. She is to report to the Tyler County Sheriff’s Office on Oct. 28 at noon to be transported to the Division of Corrections.
Moffitt’s attorney, George Cosenza, asked Karl to remove her from home confinement so she could visit her grandmother. Karl denied the request to remove home confinement, but would allow her to make a visit to her grandmother before she begins serving her sentence.
Also, Karl ordered her to pay all costs of prosecution as well as restitution in the amount of $2,455.26 to Debbie Watson and $5,000 to the Crime Victims Compensation Fund.
After Karl read Moffitt her sentencing, her mother shouted, “One strike and you’re out!” to Judge Karl, who promptly ordered her removed from the court room.
Also before Judge Karl was Steven D. Wedekamm, 40, of 313 Hickman Run Road, Sistersville.
Wedekamm was charged with one count of child abuse resulting in injury on a child alleged to have occurred in 2007. He last appeared on Sept. 14, however, a trial was not able to be conducted due to the inability to seat a jury.
A new trial date was set for Jan. 19 at 9 a.m. Wedekamm remains free on bond.