Mon circuit judge arraigns those indicted by Grand Jury

MORGANTOWN — A man who allegedly tried to run a Monongalia County Sheriff’s deputy off the road during a DUI stop pleaded not guilty Tuesday.
Harold Summers was one of 34 people scheduled to appear before Monongalia County Circuit Court Judge Russell Clawges to be arraigned following the May term of the grand jury.
The grand jury indicted Summers on five counts: fleeing in a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol, recklessly fleeing from an officer, DUI, assault on an officer and reckless driving. Summers pleaded not guilty to all counts.
All of the charges stem from a March 25 incident, according to his indictment.
If convicted, Summers could spend up to 16 years in prison.
Another of those indicted, Franklin McVay appeared before the court in an orange prison jumpsuit and pleaded not guilty to all counts against him. He is charged with two counts of wanton endangerment involving a firearm, two counts assault and a count of felon in possession of a firearm.
McVay could spend nine to 17 years in prison, if convicted on all charges.
The Dominion Post previously reported on McVay’s arrest.
On Oct. 12, deputies went to Solomon’s Mobile Home Village, along Dorsey Avenue, for a report of shots fired.
They found Morgantown Police officers were nearby.
Police saw a man walking whose hat matched a suspect’s description provided by the person who called 911. They detained the suspect, later identified as McVay.
The caller reported to 911 that she heard a gunshot and woke her husband. They went to their front porch and saw suspect trying the doors to their vehicles. When they told him to stop, the suspect ran onto their porch and pointed a handgun at the husband’s chest and told the couple they didn’t know who they were messing with.
Police looked around the area and saw McVay walking. They found a silver and purple handgun next to a tree.
Wanton endangerment and person prohibited from possessing a firearm are punishable by up to five years in prison, on each count.
McVay was convicted of wanton endangerment in Mon County in 2013, and first-degree robbery in Marion County, in 2010.
Capias warrants were issued for Thaxton Peyatte, and Todd Blaney, who also had his bond forfeited. Elizabeth Zinn, Aaron Tipton and Jason Strawser did not appear and their attorneys were given until the end of the week to locate them and schedule arraignment hearings, or warrants would be issued for the three.