Smith
CHARLESTON – The state Supreme Court has refused to hear an appeal concerning the ouster of a Mingo County Commissioner.
On May 21, the Justices heard the motion by Mingo County Sheriff Lonnie Hannah and Assessor David Baisden to have Commissioner Greg "Hootie" Smith removed from office.
They alleged Smith improperly did the duties of the job as president of the Commission by allowing property auctions to take place at locations away from the county courthouse and didn't sign all checks, sometimes letting other commissioners do that.
A three-judge panel already had rejected the removal.
On May 22, the Justices voted 3-1 against hearing the appeal. Justice Robin Davis voted to hear it, and Chief Justice Spike Maynard did not participate. Smith had sought Maynard's recusal. A family member of Maynard was involved in the case.
