News from February 2009
Benjamin to speak at Monongalia drug court opening
Benjamin MORGANTOWN -- Supreme Court Chief Justice Brent Benjamin will be the keynote speaker at the opening of the Monongalia County Drug Court at 10 a.m. on Feb. 27 at the Monongalia County Courthouse.
Leadership West Virginia names Class of 2009
CHARLESTON -– Fifty-two leaders from across the state have accepted invitations to participate in the 19th class of Leadership West Virginia.
Group says poll supports case against Benjamin
Benjamin CHARLESTON -- A Washington, D.C.-based court reform group says a new poll shows that average citizens believe elected judges should step aside in cases where one of the litigants was a major campaign supporter.
Magistrate bars TV reporter from courtroom
Halloran CHARLESTON -– A television reporter has filed a complaint against a Kanawha County magistrate, alleging Tim Halloran wrongly barred him from covering an arraignment.
U.S. Supreme Court rules against W.Va. man
Giatras WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled against a Marion County man charged with felony gun possession because of a previous battery conviction against his then-wife.
THEIR VIEW: Assault on firearms is another example of frivolous lawsuits
CHARLESTON – In yet another insult to personal responsibility, personal injury lawyers in Indiana are trying to bring a lawsuit accusing gun manufacturers of causing gun violence, even though the courts have consistently said gun manufacturers are not liable.
Two lawsuits arise from ATV wrecks
CHARLESTON -- A pair of lawsuits pending in Kanawha Circuit Court seek damages over separate all-terrain vehicle wrecks that involved an allegedly faulty helmet at a machine too powerful for its rider.
Woman sues after breaking arm in Statue of Liberty costume
SHEPERDSTOWN –- A Berkeley County woman claims she fell and broke her arm while dancing in a Statue of Liberty costume that was too big for her.
Judge was right to let witness testify, Justices rule
CHARLESTON – A Raleigh County judge properly allowed a witness to testify that he bought Oxycontin pills from a woman, the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has ruled.
Freightliner wants Cabell case dismissed
HUNTINGTON -– A South Carolina business has asked the federal court to dismiss a case in which a Cabell County man claims the company refused to fix a defective truck it manufactured.
Woman says she was injured at Cliffside Inn
SHEPHERDSTOWN -– A Jefferson County woman has filed suit against Cliffside Inn, alleging she was injured while visiting the business.
Chesapeake couple sues neighbors over fire
CHARLESTON -- A Chesapeake couple is suing their neighbors over a fire that destroyed the neighbors' home.
THEIR VIEW: Good for Eli Lilly
CHARLESTON -- Finally, one of these companies has stood up to Darrell McGraw and the rest of these pack of hyenas otherwise known as liberal states Attorneys General.
Fight at Riverside High subject of lawsuit
CHARLESTON - A Kanawha County teen is suing another teen, his family and Kanawha County schools for injuries he sustained from a fight at an eastern Kanawha County high school two years ago.
Contractor strikes out on second trip to Supreme Court
CHARLESTON – Home builder Paul Ashbaugh once persuaded the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals to help him stamp a subdivision plat, but on a second trip he couldn't persuade the Court to turn the plat into reality.
Cross Lanes pastor sues over pool, threats
CHARLESTON -- A local pastor says a Kanawha County company did a shoddy job installing a pool in his yard and that an officer of the company threatened him because he refused to pay for the job.
Cabell woman wins lawyer's free divorce contest
Webb CHARLESTON – Michelle Brock has won a free divorce contest the Webb Law Firm gives away annually on Valentine's Day.
PERSONNEL FILE: Third generation Bolen elected partner at Huddleston Bolen
D. Bolen HUNTINGTON -- Huddleston Bolen has announced that attorney David Bolen has been elected to the partnership of the firm.
Free tax preparation offered by State Law Library
CHARLESTON -– The State Law Library is offering free income tax preparation for middle- and low-income tax payers earning $42,000 or less.
Coal industry gets boost from appeals court ruling
RICHMOND -- In a blow to environmentalists and a huge victory for the coal mining industry, a federal appeals court recently overturned a lower court's ruling that called for more extensive environmental review of mountaintop removal sites.