In the case of State of West Virginia vs. Gelinda Jean Skaggs, 23-F-13, charging Conspiracy and Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance (Methamphetamine), a jury trial was scheduled for Tuesday, March 5th, 2024. However, at the last minute, the defense and prosecution met with a plea agreement to have the charge of conspiracy dismissed, and allowing a no contest plea to charge.
Gelinda Jean Skaggs stood with her attorney before Judge Anita Harold Ashley and entered her plea, believing she was acting in her own best interest according to her attorney, John Belonovich.
Judge Ashley informed Miss Skaggs that here decision to enter a no contest plea carried with it the same penalties if she had plead guilty, even though she was not admitting guilt. Ms. Skaggs stated that she understood that she would be facing a 1-15 years sentence not bound by any recommendation for Judge Ashley to determine the number of years. There is also the possibility of up to a $25,000 fine in addition to the number of years in prison.
Prosecuting Attorney Michael Hicks described the State’s evidence for the Court stating that on May 20th, 2023, at the Family Dollar in Arnoldsburg, WV a lunch box containing 25 grams of meth fell from a car. Inside the lunch box was also baggies and a set of scales, which were found by the store employees. The items were not there prior to the vehicle for which Gelinda Skaggs was a passenger in pulled out of the lot. A co-defendant was also willing to testify that Skaggs knew about the drugs.
Gelinda Skaggs was found guilty and will appear for sentencing on Wednesday, May 8th at 11:45 a.m.
Another plea bargain by current prosecutor Michael HIcks that drops charges that were brought by a Grand Jury under the guidance of former Calhoun Prosecutor, Nigel Jeffries. The Grand Jury, as well as Mr. Jeffries, felt the appropriate charges included a Conspiracy and yet that charge was dropped by Michael Hicks in a plea bargain. Why? Why reduce charges to get a plea when the evidence appears to include eye witnesses and a co-defendant prepared to testify? Why reduce a case to avoid a trial when that person probably would have plead to both counts if pressed. If not, bring in the jury. Then again, maybe if Mr. Hicks had some substantial jury trial experience, decisions might be different. A prosecutor needs to be a trial attorney, not a plea bargainer. Those who sell drugs in our community will eventually get out of jail and, if they re-offend, it is important that their criminal history show convictions if they are to be stopped from committing more crimes. Our community and citizens deserve to be safe from drugs and drug dealing. Dropping charges in plea bargains as the jury is ready to come into the courtroom needs to be questioned.
You are exactly right Larry, what a waste of our tax dollars. If they do the crime they should do the time. I have seen lots of people just get a pat on the wrist and walk away to do it again.
To whom this may concern plea bargain just says they can break the law and little to no repercussions another thing what about the ones who break the law no matter how severe and use another individual ass a whooping post to save there own hide. I believe it shows are youths that it is perfectly fine to break the law because there won’t be no punishment if they tell on someone else to help them selves out of hot water.