A man on trial for kidnapping and malicious assault pleaded guilty to those charges before the state was done presenting its evidence against him.
The trial against Stephen Alston, 27, started Thursday before Judge Susan Tucker in Monongalia County Circuit Court, Assistant Prosecutor Gabrielle Mucciola said.
On the first day of the trial, Mucciola presented testimony from the 911 call and two other witnesses.
“In October 2019, he confined the victim, which is kidnapping under West Virginia law, in his vehicle, before taking her somewhere where he sliced her leg open,” Mucciola said. The cut was 15 centimeters – or almost 6 inches.
The victim required “significant medical attention,” she said.
Kidnapping has various tiers of punishment and the state was prosecuting Alston under a charge that carries a life sentence. He was allowed to plead to a lesser version of that crime.
As part of the plea agreement, the state will recommend he serve 10-30 years for kidnapping and 2-10 years for malicious assault.
Alston was represented by defense attorney Stephanie Nethken.
His sentencing will be held at a later date. Alston is being held in North Central Regional Jail.
