Lawrence Smith News
Shabazz made appearance in N.C. during Duke lacrosse rape case
Malik Shabazz, center, rallied in May 2006 in Durham, N.C., during the height of the Duke lacrosse scandal. CHARLESTON – Almost 18 months to the day he took center stage in leading a anti-hate rally through the streets of Charleston, a Washington, D.C., attorney played a bit piece in the drama that unfolded in Durham, N.C., regarding the Duke lacrosse rape case.
Shabazz admonished by D.C. Bar over handling of settlement
Shabazz CHARLESTON – A Washington, D.C., attorney spearheading an awareness and fundraising campaign for the victim in a Logan County torture case was disciplined last year by the District's Bar Association for not properly handling the settlement awarded in a civil case involving two minor children.
Former Mason doctor named in Ill. wrongful death suit
CHARLESTON – In addition to the one pending against him in West Virginia, a former Mason County physician is now defending himself in a civil suit in Illinois.
Levine relocates to Ohio amidst Ill., W. Va. suits
CHARLESTON – After first following the advice of Horace Greeley by going west -– to Illinois -– a former Mason County physician has heeded the call of Chrissie Hynde in going back to Ohio. Both moves, records show, preceded him being named in civil suits.
Web site publisher files complaint against Putnam magistrate
Putnam County Magistrate Kim Blair, left, with her husband, former Putnam County Commissioner Jim Caruthers. WINFIELD – The publisher of a Putnam County news Web site has filed an ethics complaint against a Putnam magistrate alleging she used her office to retaliate against him for publishing an unflattering article about her and her husband, a former county commissioner.
Attorney questions delay in fraud case against two Kanawha judicial officers
CHARLESTON – The attorney for a Nicholas County financial services company is asking the how a case of alleged fraud against two Kanawha County judicial officers has been delayed for the past seven months.
Dues' named in two new civil suits in Kanawha Magistrate Court
CHARLESTON – Similar to the one against them in circuit court, a delay is working to the advantage of two Kanawha County judicial officers in a civil case against them in magistrate court.
Md. attorney hoping to keep W.Va. license
CHARLESTON – Despite losing it in two other states, a Maryland attorney is fighting to keep her license to practice law in West Virginia.
Mason couple says malpractice case should go on despite delay
Vaidya POINT PLEASANT – A perusal of the court file would reveal to anyone why it took a Henderson couple seven years to serve notice of a malpractice suit against a Point Pleasant urologist, says their attorney.
Hurricane mayor 'forum shopping,' challenger alleges
WINFIELD – Not only did a Putnam Circuit judge grant a petition for a writ of prohibition to the officially recognized mayor of Hurricane ex parte, but also enabled the mayor to engage in "forum shopping," argue attorneys for his opponent.
Hurricane mayoral race still being contested
HURRICANE -– In a scene reminiscent of the 2000 presidential election, questionable ballots have resulted in the candidates for Hurricane's mayoral race turning to the courts to determine the rightful winner.
Effort to stall revocation of attorney's drivers license fails
Wolfe CHARLESTON – While a Charleston attorney awaits a new trial date for driving under the influence and related moving offenses, he will have to find alternate means of transportation to work as his license to operate a motor vehicle has been revoked.
Case involving attorney charged with DUI continued
Wolfe CHARLESTON – The criminal trial of a Charleston attorney charged with driving under the influence and related moving violations has been postponed while his attorneys gather evidence in the case, including allegations of police brutality.
Burgers, floods and more: Supreme Court hears arguments at Marshall
Chief Justice Robin Jean Davis listens intently during oral arguments at Marshall University. HUNTINGTON – In observance of Constitution Week, the state Supreme Court made a visit to Marshall University last week to hear oral arguments in four cases. And though they were in Huntington for serious business, the justices, at times, put on a performance apropos for their venue.
Teays Valley attorney cited before for not following through on med mal cases
Attorney Frank Armada's office in Teays Valley. CHARLESTON – A Leon woman is not the only person who has issues with the way her attorney kept her informed about the status of her medical malpractice case.
Sides gear up for future showdown on MPLA challenge
Westmoreland CHARLESTON – A legal grudge match pitting two doctors against each other may hold as much at stake over the future of medical malpractice cases as last week's Friends of Coal Bowl had for bragging rights as to who would be the state's No. 1 football team.
Once dormant malpractice case against Vaidya gets moving
Vaidya POINT PLESANT – In addition to the case now on appeal before the state Supreme Court, a Point Pleasant urologist is defending himself against in a second malpractice suit, one which has been dormant for seven years.
Court agrees to hear appeal in Mingo obstruction conviction
CHARLESTON – The state Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal of two Kanawha County women convicted of obstruction of justice in Mingo County.
Injunction seeks to roll-back construction of Hurricane Wal-Mart
WINFIELD – A Hurricane couple has made good on their promise to quickly re-file legal action against city officials in an effort to halt construction of a nearby Wal-mart Supercenter.
Mason school board settles one suit, gets hit with another
POINT PLEASANT – Despite settling one lawsuit, the Mason County Board of Education has been named a defendant in another. Ironically, both suits arise from problems at the same Bend-area school.