By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
The Honorable James W. Courrier, Jr. presided over the West Virginia Circuit Court in Tucker County at the courthouse in Parsons. As part of the day’s docket, Robert Tennent appeared via Teams from the Regional jail on a bond motion. Tennent is currently being held without bond on a first-degree murder charge.
Attorney Easton represented Tennent in the matter. Easton said that if released, Tennent would be residing at his home in Tucker County and that his client was willing to comply with any requirement the court imposed.
Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney Savannah Hull Wilkins adamantly objected to the request. Wilkins outlined the events that led to the charge of first-degree murder. According to Wilkins, the victim in the case was not on Tennent’s property at the time of the shooting and the victim was also unarmed and shot from behind in the incident.
Wilkins also told the court that the defendant called emergency services and admitted to shooting his brother. Wilkins also said that Tennent also admitted to having planned the act. “He called 911 and said that he did that,” Wilkins said.
Wilkins also told the court that she was concerned for the safety of not only the victim’s widow who lived nearby, but also the general public as well, should Tennent be released. “I would be strongly opposed to any bail,” Wilkins said.
Attorney Easton said, “The court is not required to set bond in a case such as this. I would just like it to be reviewed.”
Judge Courrier denied bond stating the situation was of obvious violence and citing concerns for others and the community at large. “I don’t feel comfortable doing it with what I know right now,” Courrier said. In his decision, Courrier said he was uncomfortable granting bond with the facts of the case as they stand. Courrier did say that the matter could be reconsidered at a later date if new information was presented.