By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
Maverick Pifer appeared before Judge Courrier in District Court. The appearance was intended to hear a plea or suppression motion. Pifer appeared in person along with his attorney Brent Easton. Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney Savannah Hull Wilkins represented the State in the matter.
Wilkins informed the court that she had extended a Plea Agreement to Pifer. Easton said he and his client were undecided on the agreement terms. While it was acknowledged that the defense had received the agreement, specifics of the agreement were not discussed in open court.
Judge Courrier asked about a suppression issue raised by the defense in the case. Easton said the matter did not need to be addressed by the court currently. “I don’t think we need to do it today,” Easton said.
Wilkins said there was a companion case to Pifer’s that was also making its way through the courts. She asked that the court proceed slower than usual in order to see how the other case progresses and what the outcome may be. Wilkins commented that the companion case was progressing well. “The other case is going according to plan,” Wilkins said.
Pifer was indicted by Grand Jury on two counts and is accused of child abuse resulting in bodily harm and strangulation. 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 and a 1-5 year sentence and up to $2,500 fine on the strangulation charge.
A hearing was scheduled by the court for February 20th to hear motions or address the plea agreement should an arrangement be met.