By: Jennifer Dearborn
The Honorable Judge Nelson recently presided over five cases.
Joseph Dice accepted a plea deal on a felony forgery charge. He will be on two years probation with Probation Officer, Butch Dibacco.
Judge Nelson set the trial date for Travis Cooper. Prosecutor, Savannah Wilkins, informed the court they do plan to proceed with the trial. At this time they are having testing done on the firearm. Cooper will appear before Judge Nelson on December 21, 22, and 23, 2021 for his trial.
Peter Babala, Jr. will be back before Judge Nelson on January 18, 2022. Brent Easton, Babala’s attorney, informed the judge that they are not at a point to move forward with this trial. Babala has other charges in Maryland and Easton wants to determine if the charges in Maryland qualify in West Virginia. Wilkins sent a request for additional information.
She has also sent a plea offer, which the defendant and attorney have not had time to look over yet.
Haley Jones was only in the defendant’s chair for a few minutes. Wilkins said more time was needed. Jones will be back in court on December 14, 2021.
Jeremy Watson appeared with his attorney, Bright. Watson has been incarcerated since 2017. Bright asked the court to waive fees for his ankle monitor as he does not have the funds to cover it. Wilkins received a report back that Watson has no cause of diminished capacity and extended a new plea offer to Watson. Wilkins left it up to Judge Nelson, as Watson would reside in Preston County if he is released. Judge Nelson informed Watson’s attorney to contact Preston County and if they waive the fees he sees no problem with it. Watson has a trial date set for December 14, 2021.
Judge Courrier presided over the following cases.
The state filed a motion to revoke deferred adjudication for Kenneth
Bott. Judge Courrier granted Bott an extension.
Justin Campbell was before Judge Courrier for reconsideration of his sentence. The state opposed the motion. Courrier granted the Defendant’s motion, under the circumstance that Campbell must check into rehab.
