News from January 2009
Charleston attorney's death puts contempt charges to rest
CHARLESTON – As a result of his sudden death, the state Supreme Court has dismissed a petition for contempt the state Bar was seeking for a Charleston attorney's failure to comply with the terms of his 2007 disciplinary action.
With bathroom floors clean, Ketchum ready for new term
Ketchum CHARLESTON – What did the state's newest Supreme Court justice do on New Year's Day?
Benjamin, Supreme Court ready to start 2009 term
Benjamin CHARLESTON -- The state Supreme Court will begin the Spring 2009 term with a little pomp and circumstance.
Former bank VP goes to federal court for discrimination case
CHARLESTON – Former Ameribank Vice President Bonnie Robertson of Thorpe, who accused the bank of discrimination by age and gender in McDowell Circuit Court, must now seek damages from a federal agency in federal court.
Church, trustees sued over real estate transaction
MARTINSBURG -– A Baltimore-based company has filed suit against Destiny Baptist Church and five of its trustees, alleging they did not perform all of their obligations after selling real estate to the company.
Starcher goes out with a dissenting bang
Starcher CHARLESTON – To the end, the old West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals worked hard at making decisions. And former Justice Larry Starcher worked hard at disagreeing.
Teen says he was sexually abused at church treatment facility
MARTINSBURG -– A 16-year-old boy who alleges he was sexually abused while a resident in a juvenile treatment facility has filed suit against the Board of Child Care of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of the United Methodist Church and one of its employees.
THIS JUST IN: Cabell County
Dec. 22
THIS JUST IN: Putnam County
Jan. 2
THIS JUST IN: Monongalia County
Dec. 15
THIS JUST IN: Ohio County
Dec. 5
THIS JUST IN: Boone County
Nov. 14
Why? Because Judge Wilson said so
We may never know how many hours each lawyer worked on the case.
McGraw urges changes in Bankruptcy Code
McGraw WASHINGTON-A coalition of 22 state attorneys general, including West Virginia Attorney General Darrell McGraw, are asking Congress to loosen U.S. bankruptcy rules so judges can modify home loans to help reduce the tide of home foreclosures.
After class status denied, five Columbia Gas suits re-opened
DiTrapano HUNTINGTON – From the wreckage of an immense class action against Columbia Gas Transmission, Charleston attorney Rudy DiTrapano has picked up just five little pieces.
THEIR VIEW: Reform needed in choosing judges
CHARLESTON -- At a meeting of the National Governors Association in Washington last winter, Gov. Joe Manchin was reportedly in the company of former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor who, the word is, shared unflattering observations about the reputation of West Virginia's courts.
Care home sued over former resident's death
MARTINSBURG -– A man has filed suit against Blue Ridge Care and Rehabilitation Center on behalf of a late Berkeley County man, alleging the man died after the center's employees neglected to hydrate him and to properly care for him.
Staffing privilege dispute results in suit against hospital, fellow physicians
Westmoreland HUNTINGTON – A Mason County family physician is alleging that officials at Pleasant Valley Hospital conspired to harm his ability to practice medicine by revoking his staffing privileges without justification.