LOGAN – A trial date has been set for the civil suit involving State Sen. Richard Ojeda and his attacker.
Ojeda filed the civil suit against Jonathan Porter on Sept. 26, 2016, in Logan Circuit Court, four months after the attack took place.
Kanawha Circuit Judge Louis “Duke” Bloom was assigned the lawsuit after the judges on Logan County recused themselves. Bloom also handled the criminal trial against Porter.
In the criminal trial, Porter pled guilty to unlawful assault, which is a felony charge that comes with a 1-to-5 year prison sentence. Bloom recommended Porter receive the full sentence, as he did not take full responsibility for his actions. Porter was granted parole in March.
In the civil case, Bloom set a trial date for Oct. 22, according to the Charleston Gazette-Mail.
On May 8, 2016, Ojeda and Porter were attending a political event in Logan when Porter attacked Ojeda, causing him severe injuries and rendering him unconscious.
Ojeda claimed he was putting a bumper sticker on a car when Porter attacked him.
Ojeda also suffered from a shattered left eye socket and broken cheekbones.
Two days after the attack, Ojeda defeated Sen. Art Kirkendoll in the primary election for his state senatorial seat. He won the general election that November.
Logan Circuit Court case number: 16-C-197