By Heather Clower
The Parsons Advocate
Stepping off the elevator on the fourth floor of the Tucker County Annex to approach the Circuit Courtroom presented a multitude of people lining the halls and waiting areas in anticipation of their hearing before the Honorable Judge Lynn Nelson. The day was filled with cases involving juveniles, civil disputes.
Starting off the day of hearings was Tammy Mook, accompanied in by a young male. Mook is currently scheduled for a two day trial on June 24 and 25 for charges consisting of two counts of burglary of two residents of household items were stolen from each residence, along with a 2012 Polaris RZR and a twenty- four foot Jayco Eagle Camper. Her attorney, Bent Easton, has filed a motion requesting a continuation for the trial, claiming his client has significant medical issues and is pending admission to a hospital in Cleveland. Prosecuting Attorney Ray LaMora responded that Mook has looked and acted sick at every hearing thus far, and is allegedly the individual performing the manual labor during the grand larceny crimes. “Get some medical documentation and we’ll take care of it,” stated Nelson. If Mook can present written proof from a medical professional stating she is unable to attend her already scheduled trial, Nelson will grant the continuation and will revisit the scheduling on August 8.
Lester Mook, represented by Pat Nichols, was the next defendant to enter the courtroom. His charges include receiving, transferring, and concealing stolen property on two counts. LaMora informed Nelson that a key witness in this case is undergoing surgery and is unable to travel until after the middle of July. Therefore, the already scheduled two day trial has been rescheduled for August 20 and 21 when the witness will be able to appear.
Sheriff Brian Wilfong requested Charles Wolfe be brought in by the Department of Corrections (DOC) for his hearing. Wolfe is indicted with burglary, kidnapping, strangulation, third degree domestic battery, and attempted murder. His attorney for the duration of his hearings has been Mr. Fuelhart, however he is out of town so Phil Isner was filling in. Wolfe has had a plea agreement delivered to him, to which Isner felt it was best to wait until Fuelhart returns due to his familiarity with the case before moving forward. As of now, a two day trial is scheduled for Wolfe on July 15 and 16 in the instance the plea agreement is not signed.
Escorted in by two DOC guards to conclude the criminal hearings for the day was Jason White, indicted on murder charges from September 2017. Fuelhart also serves as White’s attorney; therefore, he was represented by Isner for this hearing. There has been recent discovery that has been shared between the two parties as well as a request for the original ballistics by the expert crime lab to complete their report. White was originally scheduled late April into early May for a five day trial, however due to the delay with the labs, it has been postponed. White is scheduled to appear again on July 17 at 9 a.m.
Britni Ball, charged with third offense shoplifting, a felony, and Robert Roy charged with one count of domestic battery, a misdemeanor, were also scheduled to appear before Judge Nelson for sentencing, however their lawyers were unaware of the scheduled hearing and were not in attendance. Ball could face a penalty of no less than $500 nor more than a $5,000 fine and no less than one nor more than ten years in the penitentiary. Roy could be facing a penalty of not less than one month or more than 12 months in jail, a fine of $500, or both.
Judge Nelson will be returning to Tucker County next month to continue with these cases.
