Supreme Court to hear jail case in October

HUNTINGTON - The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals has set a date to hear arguments over who should pay to house state inmates.

The court will hear arguments Oct. 10.

The case, which brought up the question, is by the Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority and the Cabell County Commission. The jail authority is asked the Supreme Court to overturn a circuit court ruling that lowered the per day, per inmate fee from $48.50 to $41.20.

Cabell Circuit Judge David Pancake issued the ruling in May 2006. The jail authority claims Pancake improperly interpreted the state law.

The justices voted 4-1 in April to hear the case. Justice Larry Starcher dissented.