CHARLESTON – Convicted and suspended state Supreme Court Justice Allen Loughry wants a new federal trial.
Loughry, who was convicted on 11 federal felony earlier this month, filed a motion for a new trial Oct. 26. The motion and related attachments were sealed, but federal prosecutors filed a response Oct. 29.
In that response, the prosecutors note that Loughry’s attorney John Carr requested an expedited version of a portion of the trial proceedings and that he asked the court for the ability to file more briefing after he has that transcript.
Loughry was convicted Oct. 12 on 11 counts of mail fraud, wire fraud, witness tampering and lying to federal agents. His sentencing was scheduled for Jan. 16.
Just last week, the state Judicial Hearing Board scheduled a hearing for Loughry for Jan. 14 after lifting a stay. The board had issued the stay pending Loughry’s federal trial. On the same day, the state Judicial Investigation Commission amended its formal charges against Loughry to include the federal convictions.
The JIC filed its statement of charges against Loughry in early June. That statement of charges led to Loughry being suspended by the state Supreme Court based on those 32 charges. He also was impeached – along with Chief Justice Margaret Workman, Justice Robin Jean Davis and Justice Beth Walker.
Walker already had her trial in the state Senate and was acquitted. Workman filed a motion to have her impeachment trial halted. An acting state Supreme Court ruled in favor of Workman, basing the decision on constitutional and procedural grounds such as the House of Delegates not following proper procedures during the impeachment proceedings. The same acting Supreme Court later issued an order saying that ruling extended to Davis and Loughry as well.