By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
Three of four co-defendants in a kidnapping case stemming from an incident in April appeared before Judge Shaffer in Circuit Court October 22nd to be arraigned on Grand Jury indictments. Crystal Hensley, Trenton DiBartolomeo and Levi McCauley were all indicted by Grand Jury on a variety of charges October 7th. Cory DiBartolomeo’s Grand Jury indictments had their arraignment hearing continued to a later date.
Crystal Hensley appeared in court with her attorney Sam Hess to be arraigned on a four count Grand Jury indictment. Count one was for Burglary, a felony and Counts two through four was for Conspiracy, a misdemeanor.
During the hearing, Judge Shaffer established that the 45 year old Hensley had obtained enough education and was competent enough to read and understand the charges that were being lodged against her. He also established that her attorney, Hess, had adequately explained the charges to her before accepting a plea. Judge Shaffer would repeat the same throughout the remainder of the cases and defendants throughout the day.
Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney Savannah Hull Wilkins made a motion that Hensley, who had previously been released on bond, be held without bond due to the kidnapping charge. Wilkins made the argument that all the other co-defendants are being held without bond and with the seriousness of the charge, Hensley, the only female, should also be held.
“All the criminal defendants in this case should be treated the same,” Wilkins said.
Attorney Hess said Hensley is working as a Medical Assistant and her employer was present in court. Hensley was also said to be studying to further her career in the medical field, Hess said. He suggested doubling the bond as opposed to no bond at all.
Attorney Hess requested discovery at the hearing and pre-trial hearing was set for December 10th at which time a trial date will be set.
Judge Shaffer ruled that no bond be set and Hensley was taken onto custody and remanded to the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.
Hensley plead not guilty to all charges in the case.
Trenton DiBartolomeo, one of two brothers in the case, was also arraigned on seven Grand Jury indictments. Count one was for Burglary, a felony; Count two and five were for Conspiracy, a misdemeanor, County three was for Interfering with Emergency Communications, a misdemeanor; Count four was for Kidnapping, a felony and Counts six through 10 were for Strangulation, a felony.
The 33 year old DiBartolomeo had already filed a motion for a speedy trial through his attorney, Phillip Isner, who appeared in court with the defendant. A trial date has already been set for January 26th.
“I would ask the court to reconsider the issue of bond on the kidnapping charge,” Isner said.
Tucker County Attorney Savannah Hull Wilkins opposed bond in the case and petitioned the court that the defendant be held without bond.
DiBartolomeo has plead not guilty to all charges in the case.
Judge Shaffer ruled that DiBartolomeo continue to be held at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail without bail. A pre-trial hearing has been set for December 10th.
Levi McCauley was also arraigned in the case. McCauley, who appeared in court with his attorneys Todd LeNeve and Alex Harcelrode has been held in custody without bond.
A Grand Jury indicted McCauley October 7th on five counts. Count one was for Burglary, a felony; Count two was for Conspiracy, a misdemeanor; Count three was for interfering with emergency communications, a misdemeanor; Count four was for Kidnapping, a felony and Count five was for conspiracy, a misdemeanor.
Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney Savannah Hull Wilkins requests of no contact with co-defendants and that the defendant continue to be held without bond continue came with no objection by the defendant.
McCauley has plead not guilty to all charges in the case.
All three defendants are being held without bond at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail.