Lawrence Smith News
Mason attorney previously sanctioned over '79 plane crash settlement
Musgrave CHARLESTON – Failing to return a settlement check is not the only time a Point Pleasant attorney has mishandled legal matters involving a physician. Nearly 20 years ago, Raymond G. Musgrave had to answer for "gross incompetency" in settling the estate of a doctor and his wife who died in the worst single-airplane crash in American history.
One suit filed, one dismissed against Mason hospital
POINT PLEASANT – Despite the recent dismissal of one filed against it from earlier this year, Pleasant Valley Hospital finds itself defending against another malpractice suit.
Mason attorney faces disciplinary action
Musgrave CHARLESTON – A Point Pleasant attorney faces possible disciplinary action for his mishandling of a settlement awarded to a Mason County physician in a 2001 civil case.
St. Albans man convicted and sentenced in Pocahontas meth operation
Johnson MARLINTON – Despite pleading not guilty he operated or attempted to operate a meth lab in Kanawha County, a St. Albans man has admitted to his involvement on a similar charge in Pocahontas County.
Legal troubles dogged Johnson in '01 and '02
CHARLESTON – Along with his recent conviction for attempting to operate a meth lab in Pocahontas County, court records show Jody Ray Johnson was convicted in 2001 for obstructing a police officer, and defaulted on a credit card and loan the following year.
Edmonds not totally absolved of criminal responsibility in Green case
CHARLESTON – Despite a dismissal six months ago, Tim Edmonds may still face criminal charges he sexually abused a 16-year-old student at the Upper Kanawha Valley Christian School in Chesapeake.
Records show Edmonds involved in minor criminal, civil matters while in Wisconsin
CHARLESTON – Though accused of similar acts in Wisconsin as alleged in a pending lawsuit in Kanawha County, court records in the Badger State show a Chesapeake man was convicted for a hunting-related offense, and involved in two civil matters, both with his ex-wife.
Putnam charges against man dismissed
WINFIELD – Though still facing domestic violence-related charges in Kanawha County, Jonathan D. Carter no longer faces charges he battered his then-pregnant wife Amy four years ago.
Former school administrator sues Charleston attorney
CHARLESTON – A former Kanawha County Schools administrator is asking the Kanawha Magistrate Court to settle a long-standing dispute she has with her former attorney.
ODC clears Evans in N.J. man's complaint, but not without warning
CHARLESTON – Debra Santer is not the only one with a beef against Cynthia Evans for failure to render legal services.
Convicted Putnam sex offender a potential witness in Kanawha sex abuse suit
WINFIELD – Along with defending himself in a lawsuit filed by his alleged victim, a Putnam County man is being asked to testify in another sexual abuse civil suit in Kanawha County.
Putnam pastor, wife on witness lists in sexual abuse civil case
Chesapeake Apostolic Church CHARLESTON – The names of a Putnam County minister and his wife, whose son is accused of repeatedly violating a domestic violence protective order, have surfaced in a civil suit alleging one of their former parishioners sexually abused a teenage girl at an Upper Kanawha Valley Pentecostal church in 2006.
Charleston man charged in four-year-old domestic battery incident
WINFIELD – In addition to being free on bond on a four-year old domestic battery charge in Putnam County, a Charleston man faces the prospect of going to jail for violating the terms of his bond in a more recent domestic violence-related incident in Kanawha County.
Personal injury suit against Mason school board settled
POINT PLEASANT – Despite being named in two abuse and neglect lawsuits, the Mason County Board of Education recently settled a two-year old personal injury suit which allegedly occurred at the Board's central office.
Suits ask Mason schools be held liable for teacher's abusive actions
POINT PLEASANT – The Mason County Board of Education has been named as a co-defendant in two civil suits alleging responsibility for injuries two special needs students suffered at the hands of their teacher.
Nurse alleges termination for reporting 'unsafe conditions' at PVH
POINT PLEASANT – An Ohio woman alleges she was wrongfully terminated from a Mason County hospital following a complaint she made to regulators concerning the facility's "unsafe staffing conditions."
Levine drug case bound over to Pike grand jury
Former Mason County physician Dr. Jack M. Levine ducks behind his attorney Thomas Spetnagle as they enter the building leading to the Pike County Court on Jan. 16. (Photo by Lawrence Smith) WAVERLY, Ohio -– A former Mason County physician now awaits a decision by a grand jury if pending drug charges against him have merit.
Mingo obstruction case needs overturned, attorney says
Jarvis CHARLESTON – While the legal team for two Charleston women convicted of obstruction of justice believes the state Supreme Court should overturn those convictions because their actions in a murder investigation were constitutionally protected, the prosecutor in the case says the convictions should be upheld because the appeal is nothing more than their attempt to further their "pseudo-celebrity" status.
Attack follows Sissonville, Roane County domestic fatalities
CHARLESTON – A St. Albans woman says she won't sleep easy until she knows her son-in-law is behind bars.
Domestic violence a long-term problem with Charleston man, records show
CHARLESTON – A Charleston man has a history of domestic violence going back a decade. That discord, court records show, extends between not only his wife, but also his parents.