By Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
The Honorable Judge James Courrier had a shorter day than normal as he conducted hearings at the Tucker County Circuit Court on Tuesday, May 28. The first criminal hearing of the afternoon was Calvin Smith Mann, a Fugitive of Justice picked up on a warrant for his arrest out of Rockingham County, Va. Smith Mann violated probation and was apprehended in Tucker County. H is being held until the State of Virginia arrives to transport him back within the next ten days. If for some reason he is not in Virginia custody within that time frame and no formal arrangements have been met, Courrier will see Smith Mann again to either dismiss the case, set bond, or whatever Courrier deems necessary at that time.
Katie Phillips entered with her defense attorney, Morris Davis. She has been entered into the Community Corrections program as part of her plea agreement for her second offense shoplifting charge, to which she has never missed a check in or failed a drug screening. For this reason, Morris made the motion to Courrier to remove Phillips from the program and close the case. Prosecuting Attorney Ray LaMora complied, “I have no objection,” as he elaborated on the efficiency Phillips has had and how compliant she has been within the program. The motion was granted by Courrier as he wished Phillips good luck in the future.
The docket also had Jason Adkins scheduled to appear as part of a suppression hearing and to address pre-trial agenda. Unfortunately, due to a “miscommunication” by the Department of Corrections, Adkins was not transported to his scheduled hearing. Frank Bush, representative of Adkins, was present, however. Courrier noted, “We are limited on what we can do,” in Adkins absence, and that, “we are in a critical stage of the process.” As of now Adkins has a trial date set for June 11. Attempts are being made to contact Adkins through Bush to determine whether it is agreeable to schedule the pre-trial and suppression hearing for June 10 to continue with the scheduled trial on the following day. Bush contacted his client and he wishes to postpone his trial to a later date to ensure completion of the necessary pre-trial motions.
June is already shaping up to be a busy month in the Tucker County Circuit Courts with a closed grand jury on June 4, grand jury call backs June 10, hearings on June 13, L. Mook trial on June 21, and T. Mook scheduled for June 24 and 25.