MORGANTOWN — A man charged with attempted murder and a man who was shot just days after his arrest for allegedly selling drugs were among those who appeared before Judge Susan Tucker on Wednesday, the second day of arraignments for those indicted by the January 2019 term of the Monongalia County grand jury.
The ongoing partial government shutdown — on its 32nd day Wednesday — also had a surprising impact on the proceedings.
Anthony Hardy, indicted for possession with intent to deliver heroin and conspiracy to commit a felony drug crime, did not appear at his arraignment because of the government shutdown, according to his attorney, Fran Whiteman.
Whiteman explained that her client’s mother was planning to get a rental car to bring him from Baltimore to Morgantown, but since she was furloughed, she was unable to afford it. Whiteman asked Tucker to delay the arraignment until the shutdown was over.
Stephen Fitz, assistant prosecuting attorney, asked that Hardy be given until Friday to appear before revoking his bond and issuing a warrant for his arrest.
Whiteman argued that was unfair. Tucker said, at 19, Hardy is an adult in the eyes of the law and he needed to figure it out. She gave Hardy an additional week to appear.
Kenneth R. Stevens, 56, charged with attempted first-degree murder, pleaded not guilty.
Stevens was indicted for allegedly shooting Brandon Christoff on Labor Day. The incident occurred on Landis Lane, which branches off Booth Run Road and is just west of the River Road Volunteer Fire Department.
Stevens and the Christoffs have been in a feud for years, according to Chief Deputy Al Kisner.
A 50-year-old man who allegedly threatened to shoot up WVU also pleaded not guilty on Wednesday.
Clarence Steve Wright, of Morgantown, was indicted on two counts of threat of terrorist acts.
According to a criminal complaint, on Aug. 31, Wright said he had thoughts of committing a mass shooting at WVU. He allegedly said he couldn’t think of anything better to do and said he wanted to leave behind a legacy.
The comments were made while Wright was at Fairmont General Hospital. Hospital staff reported them to the Morgantown Police Department, Andrew Stacy, Morgantown’s public information officer, said.
Wright is being held in North Central Regional Jail. His bond is set at $7,500.
Tucker issued arrest warrants for Marquis Hicks, Matthew Pennington, Kevin Arnold, Amber Lopez and George Nasir after they failed to appear.
