Circuit Court Hearings

Several Braxton County Circuit Court hearings have recently been completed by the Honorable Judge Richard A. Facemire. Braxton County Prosecuting Attorney Jasmine R.H. Morton represented the state during the proceedings.
On August 9, Joseph Bradley Thayer was found not guilty of fleeing with reckless indifference in a jury trial.
On July 22, Judge Facemire rejected a plea agreement entered for Samuel Thomas Workman. In the agreement, Workman would have pled no contest to the felony charge of death of a child by a parent, guardian, or custodian by abuse and the first degree murder and child neglect creating risk of injury charges would have been dismissed. The court felt dismissing the murder charge as the case involves a three year old child was “contrary to the effective administration of justice and not in the best interests of justice.” The case will now go to jury trial.
On July 14, Lamar Edward James and his attorney Kevin Hughart appeared for an arraignment hearing. The defendant entered a not guilty plea to the felony count of burglary and the misdemeanor count of petit larceny. Jury trial has been set for September 27.
Bailey James Fleming came before Judge Facemire with his attorney Kevin Hughart for a plea hearing. Also present were Tyler Morlan from the Braxton County Probation Office and the victim’s mother. Bailey entered a guilty plea to two counts of the felony offense of sexual assault in the third degree. The state will stand silent at the initial sentencing and dismiss other charges. After accepting the plea agreement, Judge Facemire set the sentencing hearing for September 19.
On July 11, Dennis Moyer Samples appeared in court for a sentencing hearing. He was represented by David Karickhoff. The defense requested some type of alternative sentence as he taken responsibility for his actions that resulted from family issues. The victim informed the court he believed home confinement would be suitable. The state however asked for Samples to serve time due to the seriousness of the offense and that it involved a firearm. The court agreed with the state and sentenced Samples to five years in prison on the felony offense of wanton endangerment involving a firearm.