By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
A Grand Jury has indicted Maverick Pifer. Pifer is accused of child abuse resulting in bodily injury and strangulation, according to the indictment. Pifer appeared in person at court. He was represented at the Call Back Appearance by Attorney Brent Easton before Judge Courrier of the 21st Circuit Court of West Virginia at the Tucker County Courthouse in Parsons.
Judge Courrier informed Pifer that the Grand Jury had returned an indictment on two counts: one count of child abuse resulting in bodily injury and strangulation. Judge Courrier also informed Pifer that if convicted on the charges, Pifer could face a possible 1-5 year sentence and $100 to $1,000 fine on the Child Abuse charge, as well as 1-5 year sentence and up to $2,500 fine on the strangulation charge.
Bond in the case had been posted and Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney Savannah Hull Wilkins requested from the court that additional stipulations be met by the defendant including no contact with the minor.
The court acknowledged a previous ruling by Judge Ryan that ordered supervised visitation of the minor. Judge Courrier granted the condition with, “contact in accordance with the ruling from Judge Ryan.”
Wilkins said that witnesses will be appearing at trial. In accordance, Judge Courrier ordered that the Grand Jury minutes would be distributed before trial.
Judge Courrier questioned the attorneys on the matter of processing of Pifer. “My notes say Mr. Pifer wasn’t processed on everything,” Judge Courrier said. “Is that true?” Both attorneys said that everything was in order with Pifer’s case.
Pifer was directed by the court to remain in contact with his attorney while on release and to attend his next appearance date. “Keep in touch with Mr. Easton in the meanwhile,” Judge Courrier said.
No trial date has been set on the matter as of yet.
Pifer is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.