Judge Anita Harold Ashley presided over Calhoun County Circuit Court on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. Thomas Leon Clover appeared in person having made the $30,000 bond set previously for the charge of 22-F-5, “Neglect of an Incapacitated Person Causing Bodily Injury.” His attorney, Daniel Minardi moved to continue the case to the next term of court due to this being a “complicated case” requiring the need to consult with an outside expert, subpoena medical records and their need for time to prepare. The victim in this case, the mother of Mr. Clover, has since passed away. The case was continued until June 9, 2022 at 10 a.m. for pretrial conference, and August 16, 2022 at 9 a.m. for Trial.
Johnny Franklin Cash made his appearance via Polycom on Case number 21B13, on a motion by the State of West Virginia to Revoke Bail. Mr. Cash did not contest the allegations against his violation of the terms and conditions that had been placed on him with bail at which time his Attorney, Calvin C. Honaker, Jr. requested that his bail be reinstated under home confinement, to which the Prosecuting Attorney agreed was best in this matter. Cash was granted home confinement and ordered to pay all costs incurred with it, and to to comply with all terms and conditions of bail including no contact with the domestic violence victim, direct or indirectly, in this case.
A final sentencing hearing was held in the case of State of West Virginia vs. Abbie Darlene Sturm, to ”Revoke High/Low Supervision.” Ms. Sturm had been previously charged with “Conspiracy to Commit Malicious Wounding,” a felony, and ”Accessory After the Fact”, a misdemeanor. As a part of a plea agreement on those charges she was placed on conditional supervised probation for the term of one year, and if she had complied to all stipulations of her probation the Felony charge would have been dismissed and only the misdemeanor charge would have remained on her record.
Both Ms. Sturm and her attorney, Calvin C. Honaker, Jr. made a plea to Judge Ashley for a suspended sentence and continued probation stating that she had proven to better herself through obtaining a learners permit, working community service, moving closer to town, having a family and friend network of support and her continuation of NA/AA classes.
Prosecuting Attorney Nigel E. Jeffries agreed with the defense request, stating that it would serve no purpose to incarcerate her. She had previously served 9 months in the Central Regional Jail and has now shown a life change.
Upon hearing both the State and the Defense’s request, Judge Ashley granted probation for 4 years with the conditions of supervision and continued NA/AA compliance, also stating that she believed Ms. Strum would be successful.
Juvenile Cases, Status Hearing and an adoption were also on the docket of Circuit Court.
