PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (AP) - A West Virginia man has been charged in connection with the death of a 1-year-old boy.

The News and Sentinel reports that according to a criminal complaint, 38-year-old William Travis Schoonover of Parkersburg was arrested on Wednesday and charged with death of a child by parent, guardian or custodian.

The complaint says Schoonover told police that the baby's mother, his girlfriend, left the baby in his care the afternoon of July 24. Police say Schoonover told them the baby wouldn't hold still as he was changing his diaper, so Schoonover shook him by the ankles.

Parkersburg police Lt. Greg Nagle says the baby had "substantial to severe head trauma" and other injuries. He also called the injuries "non-accidental."

It's unclear if Schoonover has an attorney.

A Putnam County magistrate ruled Thursday to prohibit the owner of Missy's Four paws from allowing others to sell pets at her shop in Nitro.

Melissa Jo Rucker was charged with 47 counts of animal neglect/cruelty in May, following a search of her home and business where scores of malnourished, diseased or dehydrated dogs were seized by authorities.

Rucker was in court Thursday, where Magistrate Kylene Brown ruled to update the conditions of Rucker's bond to no longer allow her or others to sell pets at her shop.

In a motion to amend Rucker's bond conditions dated June 27, assistant prosecuting attorney Jennifer Scragg Karr said "the state is of the belief that the defendant may attempt to engage in animal neglect or the commerce of obtaining and selling for profit other animals while this matter is going on."

Karr wrote that the state moved to no longer permit Rucker "to obtain animals or engage in any manner of commerce with regard to animals."

Rucker still will be allowed to perform grooming services at her shop under the new bond conditions.

There is no trial date set in the case, Karr wrote in the motion.

Two suspects are in custody after a series of break-ins at businesses across the street from Appalachian Power Park on Tuesday night.

Charleston Police arrested the second suspect, Elizabeth Sayre, at about 2 a.m. on Thursday, according to a news release.

Authorities arrested Sayre, 21, on a charge of breaking and entering for allegedly intruding at Smith Floor Covering Distributors.

She is expected to undergo an arraignment for several similar charges on Friday.

Police accused Sayre and an accomplice, George Jeffery, of breaking into the flooring company, along with No Limit Fitness and an adjacent building.

Jeffery, 29, remained at South Central Regional Jail in lieu of a $30,000 bond on Thursday afternoon. He is charged with three counts of breaking and entering.

Sayre remained at the jail in lieu of a $10,000 bond for the recent charge, along with a nearly $1,400 bond for past charges.

On January 24, Sayre stole a bicycle on the 100 block of Hale Street in Charleston, according to a criminal complaint. Police charged her with grand larceny.

She previously stole a handful of candy bars from an open vending machine at CAMC General Hospital, according to a complaint from April.

Authorities also accused Sayre of shoplifting on January 15, trespassing on July 3 and petit larceny and trespassing on July 30, according to city records.

Investigators identified both Sayre and Jeffery, who are homeless, with help from employees at Manna Meal and Covenant House.

The pair could also be seen throughout several videos, each captured by surveillance cameras at the businesses.

Reach Giuseppe Sabella at giuseppe.sabella@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5189 or follow @Gsabella on Twitter.

MANNINGTON - West Virginia State Police are investigating after a deputy with the Marion County Sheriff's Department reportedly shot and killed the driver of a stolen vehicle Wednesday during a pursuit.

The deputy started the pursuit of a stolen Jeep Wrangler near Mannington, according to a release from the State Police. Deputies chased the vehicle to Parrish Run Road area, where the driver, later identified as Philip Rhoades, was struck with gunfire, according to the release.

The name of the deputy involved in the shooting has not been released.

An inmate at Western Regional Jail died in the booking area earlier this week, several hours after his arrival.

Though police booked Derek Kevin Bennett into the jail Tuesday evening, he remained in the booking area just before Wednesday afternoon, Lawrence Messina. spokesman for the state Department of Military Affairs and Public Safety, wrote in an email.

Bennett, 33, died around 11 a.m., Messina said. State Police and the state Regional Jail Authority are investigating the cause of his death.

The Huntington Police Department had arrested Bennett on charges of domestic assault, fleeing from an officer, unlawful taking of a vehicle and burglary, according a criminal complaint.

His charges stemmed from an alleged incident on February 24. At about 11:40 p.m., Bennett broke into his ex-girlfriend's home and stole her car keys, the complaint states.

He first broke through a window on the back door and then unlocked the deadbolt, according to the complaint.

That's when he allegedly stole the keys to an SUV, drove away from the home and later evaded police as they tried to pull him over.

An officer, the complaint states, found the SUV abandoned. Neither Bennett nor the keys could be found.

Last week, an inmate at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail died hours after being charged with murder. Randy Shull, 63, was arrested on July 26 and found dead in his cell the following morning.

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (AP) - Authorities say the West Virginia office of a U.S. senator has been vandalized with spray-painted expletives.

News outlets report Sen. Shelley Moore Capito's office was vandalized Sunday between midnight and 9 a.m.

Morgantown police Chief Ed Preston says the words were spray-painted outside Capito's office. The owner of the building was unaware of the vandalism before being notified by authorities.

The graffiti has been removed.

Two men are facing animal cruelty charges after they allegedly abandoned two puppies Tuesday on Charleston's West Side.

Hakeem Ford, 22, and Jonathan Williams, 29, abandoned the pit bulls in an alley, according to a criminal complaint filed in Kanawha County Magistrate Court.

A tip led Charleston Patrolman Jacob Cooper to find the dogs behind Andrews Floor Covering Company on Central Avenue, according to the complaint.

One of the dogs died before Cooper arrived, and he found the other puppy hiding under a dumpster. Cooper named her Bluebell.

Ford and Williams had placed the puppies in a storage tote and left them without food or water, the complaint states. The temperature outside that day was 87 degrees.

The complaint says, "They admitted to leaving the puppies in the alley to die after attempting to get medical treatment for them."

A nearby surveillance camera recorded video of the alley. However, another tip led police to the suspects on Friday, according to the complaint.

Both Ford and Williams were charged with two counts of cruelty to animals. They remained at South Central Regional Jail in lieu of $10,000 bails on Friday afternoon.

The Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association is treating Bluebell for dehydration and emaciation, the organization said in a Facebook post.

"Bluebell is with us now, and recovering beautifully," another post said.

The humane association is asking for donations to help cover Bluebell's medical expenses.

Contributions can be made at adoptcharleston.com/give, where donors should write "for Bluebell" in the memo line.

A new Kanawha County magistrate has been appointed to fill the vacancy left when former magistrate Julie Yeager resigned last month.

Chief Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey has appointed Angela Perdue for the role, according to an order filed Wednesday. Neither Bailey nor Perdue could be reached for comment Friday.

Perdue lives in Elkview and works as a Sex Offender Intensive Supervision Officer at the state Supreme Court, according to social media accounts. She studied criminal justice and psychology at West Virginia State University and justice leadership at Marshall University, the profiles say.

Perdue will start Aug. 15 and serve through 2018, according to the order.

Yeager, who had been a magistrate since 2004, resigned July 20 amid allegations she embezzled at least $14,000 from the West Virginia Magistrate Association, for which she served as treasurer.

A report from the Supreme Court's Judicial Disciplinary Counsel Teresa Tarr said that, in her opinion, Yeager committed felony embezzlement and felony falsifying assets. Yeager resigned before the court could consider the report.

She has not been criminally charged. The Kanawha County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is investigating.

A Charleston police officer has been indicted on three misdemeanor charges after he allegedly caused a deadly crash earlier this year.

Officer Stephen Doss, of the Charleston Police Department, reportedly crashed into a woman's car in the 400 block of Washington Street West, near the intersection of Maryland Avenue, on Jan. 4.

The woman, Dora Clarke, died as a result of Doss' "reckless disregard for the safety of others," the indictment states. Clarke died five days after the incident. Police have refused to release her identity, but she was named in the indictment against Doss. She was 80 years old, according to her obituary.

Doss, 27, was driving 74 miles an hour as he responded to reports of a man armed with a knife at the Orchard Manor housing complex, according to the indictment. The speed limit in the area where the crash occurred is 30 mph.

Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster has said it appears Doss was speeding without using his emergency lights or siren, which goes against department policy and state law.

The department has said the officer was driving in the left lane of Washington Street West which is a one-way, two-lane road.

Doss was indicted Thursday by a Kanawha County grand jury on charges of negligent homicide, speeding and an emergency vehicle violation. All three are misdemeanors. The negligent homicide charge carries a maximum of one year in prison.

He is scheduled to be arraigned Sept. 7 by Kanawha Circuit Judge Carrie Webster - who is the police chief's sister.

Brent Webster, who is leaving the police chief's job, would not comment Friday on Doss' indictment or his current status with the department. City Attorney Paul Ellis, who said in March that Doss would remain on paid leave until an investigation was complete, could not be reached for comment late Friday.

In a past interview, Webster had said officers sometimes are allowed to break the law if they receive permission from a supervisor. Their lights and siren are still required.

Some emergencies justify speeding, he said. However, officers still must drive with "due regard for the safety of all persons," according to policy.

Webster previously said emergency vehicles must take precautions, such as slowing down in populated areas.

"We don't want emergency driving to be an afterthought," the chief said. "We don't want it to be something that we just go out there and do because we have a police car."

Department policy allows an officer to activate his or her lights and siren without permission if no supervisor is available.

The officer is required to ask for permission when possible, and a supervisor can then decide whether to let the emergency response continue.

Such policies allow for officers to address urgent calls, such as robberies, car wrecks or shootings.

Doss is the second Charleston police officer involved in a fatal collision in the past 12 years.

On Oct. 14, 2005, Patrolman Brandon Tagayun crashed into a woman at the intersection of MacCorkle Avenue and 46th Street. Patsy Sizemore, 69, died at the scene.

Tagayun's supervisor at the time, then-Cpl. Teddie Malone, joined Tagayun while he, too, failed to activate his lights and siren.

Authorities suspended the supervisor without pay for 160 hours, and they reduced his rank and salary for 640 hours.

Tagayun later pleaded guilty to two misdemeanors for speeding and failing to use his emergency lights and siren. He received one year probation after officials dropped a charge of negligent homicide.

He resigned in 2006 and joined the St. Albans Police Department as a patrolman in 2008. That agency promoted him to sergeant in 2016.

West Virginia State Police and other outside agencies investigated Tagayun's fatal crash. They estimated his speed at somewhere between 60 and 80 mph.

No outside investigation is needed in the most recent case, Ellis previously has said, because details are readily available.

Investigators recovered a "black box" and in-car video from Doss' cruiser, so his speed is known. And, unlike the Tagayun case, the supervisor for Doss' zone was not present for the crash.

Reach Giuseppe Sabella at giuseppe.sabella@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5189 or follow @Gsabella on Twitter.

A total of 83 people were indicted by a Kanawha County Grand Jury on Thursday, including five people who were indicted for murder in four separate cases, Prosecuting Attorney Charles Miller said Friday.

Two of the people indicted, Bobby Gene Hall and Misty Rucker, were charged in connection with a fatal shooting that happened in February.

Hall, 42, of Clendenin, and Rucker, 38, of Falling Rock, both were indicted on one count each of murder, fleeing with reckless indifference to the safety of others, and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Hall and Rucker reportedly had visited 55-year-old Timothy Jett and Audrey Short, 38, at Jett's home along Garrison Avenue in Charleston. After Hall and Rucker left the home, they are alleged to have returned a short time later, when Rucker is accused of watching the front door while Hall reportedly went back inside and shot Jett and Short.

Jett died at the scene, and Short died a few days later.

Hall and Rucker reportedly then fled by vehicle from the scene to Kentucky, where they are alleged to have stolen a vehicle, which they used to return to West Virginia. They reportedly were spotted in the stolen vehicle in Elkview some time after the shooting.

Rucker and Hall will be arraigned before Kanawha Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey at 9 a.m. on Aug. 16.

Also indicted for murder was Brian Dakota Thompson, 23, of Charleston, was indicted on one count of murder.

Thompson is accused of fatally attacking 19-year-old Brandon Robinson with a machete in January outside of a tent along the riverbank behind Lowe's Home Improvement store in Kanawha City before pushing Robinson's body into the Kanawha River, where it was discovered two days later.

Thompson will be arraigned before Kanawha Circuit Judge Duke Bloom at 1:30 p.m. on Aug. 22.

In another murder case, Dajuan Jackson, 24, of Detroit, Michigan, was indicted for one count of murder.

Jackson is accused of shooting and killing Christopher Moses Butler, also originally from Detroit, at Drexel Place in Cross Lanes in December.

Jackson was arrested in Louisiana in April and extradited back to West Virginia.

Jackson will be arraigned before Kanawha Circuit Judge James Stucky at 2 p.m. on Aug. 22.

Dimitris Domenique Malone, 25, of Charleston, is accused of shooting 22-year-old Nate Chaney several times in the head in a parking lot outside of Littlepage Terrace apartments in Charleston in January 2016.

Malone will be arraigned before Kanawha Circuit Judge Carrie Webster at 10 a.m. on Sept. 7.

An indictment doesn't mean a person is guilty of a crime. It only indicates enough probable cause exists to warrant a jury trial.

The following are the rest of the arraignments sorted by presiding judge and the time and date of the arraignments that will take place in the Kanawha County Courthouse:

Judge Jennifer Bailey, 9 a.m. Aug. 16

Jamyrion Antwon Alexander, 24, of Dayton, Ohio, conspiracy and drug charges; Katelyn Nicole Berger, 22, of Cross Lanes, child abuse creating substantial risk of serious bodily injury or death, child neglect causing serious bodily injury, child neglect creating substantial risk of serious bodily injury or death, and child abuse causing serious bodily injury; Khalib Austin Grass, 19, of Cross Lanes, child abuse creating substantial risk of serious bodily injury or death, child neglect causing serious bodily injury, child neglect creating substantial risk of serious bodily injury or death, and child abuse causing serious bodily injury; Alexander Martel Brown, 35, of Charleston, destruction of property, battery on a government representative, conspiracy, and drug charges; James Michael Jamal Brown, 24, of Indianapolis, second degree robbery; Julius T. Finch, 30, of Indianapolis, second degree robbery, Darryl Lamont Harvey Jr., 28, of Indianapolis, second degree robbery; Marquis Demar Smith, 26, of Indianapolis, second degree robbery; Robert Michael Cooper, 66, of St. Albans, first degree sexual abuse and first degree sexual assault; Derek Stephen McCloy, 28, of Charleston, malicious wounding; Kristina R. Murphy, 32, of Charleston, conspiracy, grand larceny, and drug charges; Brandon E. Pistore, 33, of Hurricane, conspiracy, persons prohibited from possessing firearms, and drug charges.

Judge Charles King, 1:30 p.m., Aug. 14.

Brianna S. Hanspard, 22, of Detroit, conspiracy and drug charges; Devon Davis Kroesser, 20, of Dunbar, grand larceny, kidnapping, strangulation, attempted strangulation, domestic battery, escape, shoplifting, and forgery of a fingerprint card; Joshua James Lambert, 29, of St. Albans, fleeing with reckless indifference to the safety of others and child neglect creating a substantial risk of serious bodily injury or death; Jesse James Nelson, 35, of Charleston, failure to register as a sex offender; Tasha Louise Russell, 37, of Charleston, forgery and uttering; Chase Adam Searls, 25, of Charleston, child neglect creating substantial risk of serious bodily injury, child abuse causing bodily injury, child abuse creating substantial risk of serious bodily injury, and domestic battery; Nikki Dawn Norman, 20, of Charleston, child neglect creating risk of substantial risk of serious bodily injury and child neglect causing bodily injury; Mark Edwin Stratto, 39, of Tornado, burglary, grand larceny, and breaking and entering; George W. Ball, 56, of St. Albans, burglary, grand larceny, and breaking and entering; Gregory Sutherland, 60, of Charleston, conspiracy and drug charges; Shawn Tracy Williams, 51, of Charleston, breaking and entering, grand larceny, and transferring and receiving; Janice Elaine Williams, 42, of Charleston, breaking and entering, grand larceny, and transferring and receiving; Nichole Raye Wysong, 23, of West Hamlin, second degree robbery, petit larceny, and battery; Cody Ryan Terral, 26, second degree robbery, petit larceny, and battery.

Judge Duke Bloom, 1:30 p.m. Aug. 22

Steven Wayne Akers II, 41, of Charleston, forgery and uttering; Justin Bryant Smith, 25, of Charleston, forgery and uttering; Scott Allen Breeden Jr., 20, of Charleston, attempted murder, malicious wounding, wanton endangerment, use or presentment of a firearm during the commission of a felony; Yasmin U. Pegram, 19, of Charleston, attempted murder, malicious wounding, wanton endangerment, use or presentment of a firearm during the commission of a felony; Dominique M. Douglas, 29, of Detroit, conspiracy and drug charges; James Devon Foster, 23, of Charleston, kidnapping, use and presentment of a firearm during the commission o fa felony, wanton endangerment, domestic assault, shooting within 500 feet of a residence, and obstructing; Billy Mack Griffin, 39, of Charleston, fraud and related activity in connection with an access device; Vincent Alan Huffman II, 37, of South Charleston, third offense domestic battery; Cody Lee Hager, 24, of Whitman, burglary, use and presentment of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and attempted first degree robbery; Jacob Jasper Parsons, 30, Given, burglary, use and presentment of a firearm during the commission of a felony, and attempted first degree robbery; Luke Miranda Parsons, 28, of Charleston, burglary and attempted first degree robbery; Jason A. Kirk, 41, of Chelyan, conspiracy and drug charges; Bobby Lee Nunn Jr., 33, St. Albans, possession of stolen vehicle; Nicholas Paul Prather, 35, of Scott Depot, conspiracy and drug charges; Roberta Jolene Smith, 27, of Charleston, child neglect creating a substantial risk of serious bodily injury and death and child neglect creating a substantial risk of bodily injury; Jacob Matthew Harrison, 28, of Charleston, child neglect creating a substantial risk of serious bodily injury and death and child neglect creating substantial risk of bodily injury; Michael D. Terry, 20, of Charleston, third degree sexual assault and third degree sexual abuse; Joshua Mason Trotter, 36, of Beckley, conspiracy and drug charges.

Judge Tod Kaufman, 1 p.m. Aug. 31

Dena Michelle Fields, 45, of Sissonville, taking the identity of another person and fraud and related activity in connection with an access device; Richard Lee Hedrick, 40, of Charleston, possession of a stolen vehicle; Michael Allen Keeney, 46, fleeing with reckless indifference to the safety of others, possession of a stolen vehicle, fleeing causing property damage; Kenneth Ray Mullins, 64, of Charleston, domestic battery, domestic assault, violation of protective order, assault on government representatives, and obstructing; Tevon Devin Spencer, 24, of Cross Lanes, conspiracy and drug charges; Stephanie Nicole Stover, 29, of Comfort, forgery and uttering; Michael Lee Moss, 21, of Charleston, forgery and uttering.

Judge James Stucky, 2 p.m. Aug. 22

Billy David Adams Jr., 33, of South Charleston, failure to register as a sex offender, breaking and entering, grand larceny, burglary, and petit larceny; Justin Michael Adkins, 22, of Comfort, attempted breaking and entering; Shanta L. Draper, 38, of Columbus, Ohio, conspiracy and drug charges; Teaera R. Willis, 35, of Charleston, conspiracy and drug charges; Brian Saylor Hines, 32, of Martinsburg, fraud and related activity in connection with access device, petit larceny and battery; Brandy Dianna Spickler, 33, of Martinsburg, fraud and related activity in connection with access device; Cardaryl C. Massey, 31, of Detroit, conspiracy and drug charges; Marcus L. Young, 18, of Detroit, conspiracy and drug charges.

Judge Joanna Tabit, 2:30 p.m. Aug. 24

Harold J. D'Angelo, 49, of Ona, conspiracy, drug charges, persons prohibited from possessing a firearm; Roland J. Duckett, 32, of Charleston, conspiracy and drug charges; Glen Hanning Jr., 69, of Eskdale, first degree sexual abuse, sexual abuse by a parent, guardian, custodian and person in position of trust; Ivor James Liddle, 46, of Glasgow, third offense driving while license revoked for DUI; Michael J. Sykes, 37, of Charleston, conspiracy and attempted drug violations; Dalton Ray White, 20, of Charleston, breaking and entering, grand larceny, and possession of stolen vehicle; Whitney Louise Smith, 19, of Charleston, breaking and entering, grand larceny, and possession of a stolen vehicle.

Judge Carrie Webster, 10 a.m. Sept. 7

Nakeysha Lee Bennett, 27, of Charleston, theft of a rental vehicle; Kenisha Leigh Sanders, 28, of Charleston, theft of a motor vehicle; Stephen David Doss, 27, of Charleston, negligent homicide, authorized emergency vehicle violation, speeding; Gary Ray Doughty, 44, of Rutledge, attempted burglary; Phillip Lee Griffith, 18, of Charleston, first degree sexual abuse, first degree sexual assault, and third degree sexual assault; Jeffrey Allen Havis, 49, of Charleston, attempted breaking and entering; Fountaine A. Nelson, 21, of Charleston, conspiracy and drug charges; Dachaun M. Thaxton, 22, of Charleston, conspiracy and drug charges; Toney Smith, 42, of Charleston, attempted murder and malicious wounding; Joshua C. Sowards, 38, of Hurricane, possession of stolen vehicle, conspiracy, and drug charges; Jeffrey Lee Taylor, 48, of Charleston, third offense shoplifting.

A body was found in the Kanawha River in South Charleston Saturday afternoon, according to a Kanawha County Metro 911 dispatcher.

The body was found in the river near Riverside Drive, the dispatcher said. The call came in just before 3 p.m., he said.

Officials with the South Charleston police and fire departments responded and are investigating.

Additional details were not immediately available.

One person was flown to the hospital Saturday following an all-terrain vehicle crash in Kanawha County.

A Kanawha County Metro 911 dispatcher said the accident happened just before 6 p.m. on Sanderson Road in Clendenin.

A helicopter was called to take one patient with "serious" injuries to Charleston Area Medical Center General Hospital in Charleston, the dispatcher said.

A second person was injured in the accident, but was reportedly walking at the scene, the dispatcher said.

Additional details about the incident, including the nature of the patients' injuries, were not immediately available Saturday.

Marriages

The following people filed for marriage licenses in Kanawha County between July 27 and Aug. 3, 2017:

Michael Housten Wisser, 34, and Jessica Michelle Neal, 32, both of St. Albans.

Ross Selby Estep, 22, of South Charleston and Caitlin Elizabeth McBrayer, 21, of Hurricane.

Dylan Michael Jaggie, 23, of Cross Lanes and Dareian Jade Workman, 21, of Poca.

Charles Alexander Robinson, 32, and Lila Stephanie Waller, 19, both of Charleston.

Michael Andrew Rude, 36, and Brittany Lee Ruddle, 36, both of South Charleston.

Meredith Alexander Whitten, 28, and Miranda Mae Martin, 27, both of Charleston.

Joshua Warren Hunt, 28, and Tiffany Lynn Holliday, 26, both of Charleston.

Adrian Alan White, 42, and Emily Dawn Nelson, 42, both of Charleston.

Mark Alan Lanyon, 48, and Steven Edward Parsons, 38, both of Charleston.

Samuel Lee Gary, 20, of Sissonville and Abagail Maddison Reed, 20, of Kenna.

Limpson Vithayathil Jacob, 46, of Charleston and Melissa Rose Pollitt, 21, of Manchester, New Hampshire.

Kenneth Eugene Carrino, 22, and Dorothy Nicole Davis, 22, both of Nitro.

Ronnie Lee Harvey, 26, and Victoria Elizabeth Shreve, 23, both of Dunbar.

David Thomas Ratliff, 45, and Terri Dawn Kelly, 45, both of Charleston.

Christopher Anderson, 42, and, Sandra Louise Smith 40, both of Charleston.

Lyquan Jamar Scott, 35, and Alisa Renee Smith, 38, both of Nitro.

Aaron Tyler Radcliff, 29, and Anna Joy Ladd, 27, both of Charleston.

Robert Joseph Estep, 22, and Marsha Marie Miller, 21, both of St. Albans.

Derek Edward Tate, 25, and Hannah Faye Hayes, 22, both of South Charleston.

Lloyd Anthony Williams, 55, and Lena Michele Little, 39, both of Charleston.

Shawn Anthony Robb, 27, of Marmet and Stephanie Renee Seabolt, 27, of Mammoth.

Jeremy Lee Thomas, 28, and Kayla Storm Bush, 21, both of Dunbar.

Deytona Devon Coleman, 23, and Allison Brooke Evans, 23, both of Charleston.

The following people filed for marriage licenses in Putnam County between July 28 and Aug. 1, 2017.

Carl Edward Hostler, 56, and Janet Lynn Clarke, 58, both of Scott Depot.

Matthew Burke Williamson, 35, of Cross Lanes, and Pamela Sue Smith, 35, of Culloden.

John Wayne Riddle, 51, and Janie Lynn Light, 50, both of Winfield.

Charles Earl Ray Jr, 23, of Elkview, and Stephanie Michelle Riggs, 23, of Buffalo.

Divorces

The following people filed for divorce in Kanawha County between July 27 and Aug. 3, 2017:

Steven Ray Carpenter from Christina T. Carpenter

Susan Rae Stewart from Robert Joseph Stewart

Ronda D. Bonner from Roger D. Bonner

Michael Shawn Wilkinson from Susan Ann Wilkinson

Paige Lacy from Gregory Lacy

Lorenia Antoinette Manns from Toni Marie Manns

Tessa M. Wickline from Christopher Wickline

Harold Dean Fields Jr. from Arletta Yulonda Fields

Jennifer Maire Holmes from James Edward Holmes

Paul David Kushner from Angela Mae Kushner

Shirley Mae Haun from Adam Jacob Haun

The following people filed for divorce in Putnam County between July 28 and Aug. 1, 2017.

Joseph A. Stover from Amanda N. Mullins.

Natisha N. Martina from Brian R. Martin.

Susan L. Pinson from David D. Pinson.

Alan Ray Snyder from Cathy Lynne Snyder.

Matthew J. Allen from Samantha J. Allen.

April D. Shelton from Jeffrey B. Shelton.

Property Transfers

Property Transfers of $75,000 or more were recorded in Kanawha County between July 27 and Aug. 3, 2017:

National Residential Nominee Service Inc. to Christian and Amber Breed. Lot, Loudon District, $183,000.

Indian Head II LLC to Thelma Jean LLC. Lots, Charleston West District, $195,000.

John T. and Lauren McCartney to Molly Bloom and Andrew Weber. Parcel, Charleston, $152,000.

Marsha G. Adkins to Cheryl A. Mayes. Lot, Cross Lanes, $110,000.

Kenneth W. Harper to Delbert D. Flowers Jr. Lot, Poca District, $134,000.

Joshua A. and Rebecca L. King to Tina S. and Paul T. Myers. Parcel, Elk District, $255,000.

Timothy M. and Janice L. Greene to Danial and Mandy Gum. Lot, Jefferson District, $219,500.

Kanawha Institute for Social and Action Inc. to Amber R. Sanders. Lot, Union District, $95,000.

Farris D. Sayer and David F. Sayer Jr. to Robert and Kimberly Olson, Lot, Charleston, $300,000.

Farris David Sayer to Robert and Kimberly Olson. Lot, Charleston, $340,000.

Jeffery D. and Debra LaFleur to Brandon Steele. Lot, Washington District, $340,000.

Bryan C. and Bernice J. Deem to Judith S. Belcher. Condominium, Charleston East District, $243,500.

Judith S. Belcher to Claire E. Oliver. Condominium, Charleston East District, $267,500.

Adryon Hamilton Clay to Rachel D. Ludwig and Tony L. Clackler. Lots, Charleston South Annex, $275,000.

Clark Ventures LLC to Bradford Conaway Clark. Lot, Charleston, $150,000.

Melanie L. Slater to Fadey Kisto and Zina J. Qandila. Lot, Loudon District, $158,000.

Cliff D. Hill to Alex W. and Julie A. Alston. Lot, Washington District, $549,000.

Michael P. and Stephanie L. Mellace to Zachary Saterfield. Lot, Charleston South Annex District, $148,500.

Elizabeth D. Jordan and Tina Maria Carr to Trista Wiley Irrevocable Trust. Lot, Malden District, $122,500.

Brenda H. Robertson to Dale and Brenda Fisher. Lot, Washington District, $320,000.

Bearcat Development Group LLC to Buddy L. Bonsall. Lot, Loudon District, $272,000.

Michael E. and Regina L. Jarrett to Amanda D. Gillispie. Parcel, Elk District, $177,000.

Carl B. Gardner and Billy F. Gardner II to Bernie S. Thompson Jr. Lot, Malden District, $85,000.

Steven D. and Benna W. Hindle to Luke Christopher and Rebecca Helen Steadman. Lot, Union District, $180,000.

Helen E. Phillips to Samuel E. King. Lot, St. Albans, $107,000.

David B. and Paula K. Kingry to DK Rentals of WV LLC. Lot, Union District, $125,000.

Frank E. Grant to Judith S. Belcher. Lot, Charleston East District, $210,888.

Doris Smith to Olivia P. and Brian L. Legg. Lot, Union District, $137,500.

Matthew T. and Christa M. Park to Katherine A. Kessell and Michael A. Dolin. Lot, Union District, $145,000.

Grant S. and Hallie S. Mason to Todd Allen and Johnna Kay Dankmyer. Lot, Kanawha City District, $289,000.

Golden and Amos to Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. Lot, Charleston, $84,359.

Donald C. and Patty L. Supcoe to Michael K. and Jennifer J. Graham. Lots, Charleston South Annex District, $438,000.

Robert and Kim Higginbotham to Trevor C. Snavely. Lot, Jefferson District, $84,000.

H. Allen and Darla D. Bleigh to Terrence D. Walker. Lot, Union District, $125,000.

The following property transfers of more than $75,000 were recorded in Putnam County between July 28 and Aug. 3, 2017.

Jodi and Joseph Songer to Sarah E. and Geary L. Jack II. Tract, Scott District, $215,000.

Tracy L. and William C. Burch to Heather Dawn and Matthew Cody Freas and James Skiles. Lot, Hurricane, $235,000.

James Bellomy and Kayla Rohaley to Leanne M. Thompson. Lot, Winfield, $119,900.

Chelsea R. King to Chad Nelson. Lot, Teays Valley. $159,000.

Michael T. McAllister to Luranie Ann Whittington. Tract, Scott District, $89,000.

Mark G. Young to Darlene Shores. Lot, Scott District, $82,000.

Holly Lea Farrell to Philip J. and Holly A. Hartshorne. Acres, Curry District, $255,000.

William Thompson Jr to Katie Hubbard Light. Lot, Hurricane, $235,900.

Joseph A. and Patricia A. Ruebush to Lloyd C. Lawson. Lot, Scott District, $181,000. Charles L. and Sharon R. Mannon to Michelle M. Wallace. Acres, Curry District, $115,000.

John K. and Farrah L. Caruthers to Tanya D. Wood. Lot, Scott District, $344,000.

Edward L. and Teresa M. Absten to Stephen A. and Ilyanna A. Owens. Lot, Eleanor, $96,000.

Zachary C. and Brenna R. Cowan to William D. Hunt and Alice M. McCarthy-Hunt. Lot, Hurricane, $292,000.

Diana Dickens and Thomas J. Obrokta Jr. to Motorists Mutual Insurance Company. Lot, Teays Valley, $518,334.

Christopher A. and Kathleen M. Moles to Jacklyn K. and Christopher E. Kennedy and Maretta Lynn Keough. Lot, Eleanor, $163,500.

Brian Robert and Amanda D. Morris to Bryan J. and Amanda K. Holyman. Lot, Teays Valley, $243,000.

Steorts Homebuilders LLC to Joshua D. and Amanda W. Germann. Lot, Scott District, $420,000.

Jennifer Michelle and Earl R. Ely III to Todd W. and Eileen Hendricks. Lot, Scott District, $220,000.

Patrick G. and Tina S. Garska to Jordan A. and Jon C. Dotson II. Lot, Scott District, $225,000.

Bankruptcies

The bankruptcies listed below are limited to those filed by residents or companies in the Gazette-Mail's circulation area. Chapter 7 designates the liquidation of non-exempt property; Chapter 11 calls for business reorganization; Chapter 13 establishes a schedule of payments to creditors. The following bankruptcies were filed between July 28 and Aug. 4, 2017:

Billy Eugene Hicks Jr., Cross Lanes, Chapter 7. Assets: $22,775, Liabilities: $82,242.

Angela Dawn Peters, Seth, Chapter 7. Assets: $10,542, Liabilities: $91,030.

Shirley Arlene Brooks, Webster Springs, Chapter 7. Assets: $20,712, Liabilities: $50,455.

Diana Lynn McLaughlin, Elkview, Chapter 7. Assets: $80,462, Liabilities: $124,341.

Carolyn Anne Sizemore, Summersville, Chapter 7. Assets: $20,312, Liabilities: $84,238.

Bobby Dale Townsend, Procious, Chapter 7. Assets: $118,811, Liabilities: $157,182.

Renee Durelle Patterson, Charleston, Chapter 7. Assets: $19,208, Liabilities: $93,869.

Ronnie Lee and Velda Gay Barbe, Webster Springs, Chapter 7. Assets: $43,750, Liabilities: $59,521.

Cynthia Brooke Gilkeson, Charleston, Chapter 7. Assets: $75,588, Liabilities: $142,477.

Stacey Jean Ramsey, Cottageville, Chapter 7. Assets: $99,790, Liabilities: $142,346.

Sanford Allen Thomas II, Charleston, Assets: $35,219, Liabilities: $51,551.

Stephen Michael and Alyssa Louise Markus, West Hamlin, Chapter 7. Assets: $81,459, Liabilities: $137,033.

Janet Lee Hayden, Charleston, Chapter 7. Assets: $49,578, Liabilities: $116,289.

Susan Lynn McGuire, Nitro, Chapter 7. Assets: $57,377, Liabilities: $74,534.

Faye Olivia Casto, Cottageville, Chapter 7. Assets: $87,539, Liabilities: $93,400.

Linda Carol Brooks, Beckley, Chapter 7. Assets: $132,015, Liabilities: $164,125.

Brian Keith and Jennifer Renee Hash, Glen Fork, Chapter 7. Assets: $7,852, Liabilities: $61,879.

The following crimes were reported to the Charleston Police Department between July 27 and Aug. 3, 2017:

East District:

Morris Street 600 block, breaking and entering, July 27, 5:10 a.m.

Morris Street 600 block, grand larceny, July 27, 5:10 a.m.

Washington Street East 1300 block, shoplifting, July 27, 8 p.m.

Kanawha Boulevard East 100 block, breaking and entering auto, July 27, 9 p.m.

Dickinson Street 500 block, breaking and entering auto, July 28, 2 a.m.

Dudley Drive 1700 block, burglary, July 28, 4 a.m.

Hillcrest Drive East 1000 block, burglary, July 28, 3 p.m.

Virginia Street East 1000 block, breaking and entering auto, July 28, 3:45 p.m.

Young Street 1000 block, grand larceny, July 28, 5 p.m.

Ruffner Avenue 700 block, breaking and entering auto, July 28, 9:20 p.m.

Dunbar Street 100 block, breaking and entering, July 29, 2 p.m.

Lee Street East 200 block, breaking and entering auto, July 30, 12:14 a.m.

Hotel Circle 200 block, petit larceny, July 30, 12:30 a.m.

Kanawha Boulevard East 100 block, breaking and entering auto, July 30, 12:30 a.m.

Stadium Place 900 block, petit larceny, July 30, 3 a.m.

Kanawha Boulevard 600 block, breaking and entering auto, July 30, 3:08 a.m.

Kanawha Boulevard East 600 block, breaking and entering auto, July 30, 12:30 p.m.

Kanawha Boulevard East 100 block, petit larceny, July 30, 9 p.m.

Quarrier Street 1000 block, petit larceny, July 31, 11 a.m.

Virginia Street East 1300 block, breaking and entering auto, Aug. 1, 1 a.m.

Lewis Street 1200 block, breaking and entering auto, Aug. 1, 6 p.m.

Smith Street 1200 block, breaking and entering auto, Aug. 1, 8 p.m.

Smith Street 1100 block, breaking and entering, Aug. 1, 10:19 p.m.

Young Street 1000 block, breaking and entering, Aug. 2, 2:14 a.m.

Lee Street East 200 block, shoplifting, Aug. 2, 6:50 p.m.

Kanawha Boulevard East 1300 block, breaking and entering auto, Aug. 2, 10 p.m.

South District:

Oakmont Road 1400 block, breaking and entering auto, July 27, 7:30 a.m.

South Park Road 600 block, burglary, July 27, noon.

MacCorkle Avenue Southeast 6500 block, shoplifting, July 27, 4:54 p.m.

Adrian Road 700 block, petit larceny, July 27, 7:35 p.m.

MacCorkle Avenue 6500 block, grand larceny auto, July 28, 4:20 p.m.

Cross Terrace Boulevard 200 block, petit larceny auto, July 28, 6:30 p.m.

MacCorkle Avenue 5000 block, shoplifting, July 28, 8 p.m.

MacCorkle Avenue 6400 block, petit larceny, July 30, 5:15 a.m.

Cornwall Lane 100 block, breaking and entering auto, July 30, 11:30 p.m.

Venable Avenue 5000 block, robbery, July 31, 12:57 a.m.

MacCorkle Avenue 5400 block, grand larceny auto, July 31, 2 p.m.

Kinser Road 1st block, burglary, July 31, 2:30 p.m.

Spotswood Road 400 block, burglary, July 31, 2:30 p.m.

MacCorkle Avenue Southeast 5000 block, shoplifting, July 31, 4:15 p.m.

MacCorkle Avenue 5700 block, petit larceny, Aug. 1, 5 p.m.

Bridge Road 900 block, shoplifting, Aug. 2, 10:15 a.m.

MacCorkle Avenue 6300 block, petit larceny, Aug. 2, 9 p.m.

Cross Terrace Boulevard 100 block, breaking and entering auto, Aug. 2, 9:45 p.m.

West District:

Delaware Avenue 200 block, malicious wounding, July 27, 10:28 a.m.

Central Avenue 600 block, petit larceny, July 27, 2 p.m.

Delaware Avenue 500 block, petit larceny, July 28, 12:30 p.m.

Glenwood Avenue 600 block, wanton endangerment, July 28, 3:45 p.m.

Dayton Drive 200 block, burglary, July 28, 4 p.m.

Bigley Avenue 1300 block, burglary, July 28, 6 p.m.

Virginia Street West 200 block, breaking and entering auto, July 28, 6 p.m.

Mary Street 300 block, grand larceny auto, July 28, 8 p.m.

Washington Street West 400 block, shoplifting, July 28, 9:03 p.m.

Pennsylvania Avenue 300 block, breaking and entering, July 28, 10:30 p.m.

Hendrix Avenue 1000 block, burglary, July 29, midnight.

Red Oak Street 1400 block, breaking and entering, July 29, 12:01 a.m.

Mel Street 1000 block, burglary, July 29, 6:13 a.m.

Hendrix Avenue 1000 block, burglary, July 29, 2:30 p.m.

Iowa Street 100 block, breaking and entering, July 29, 2:30 p.m.

Washington Street West 400 block, shoplifting, July 29, 4:40 p.m.

Homer Street 1000 block, domestic assault, July 29, 7 p.m.

Washington Street West 1700 block, grand larceny auto, July 30, 1:40 a.m.

Woodsedge Way first block, breaking and entering auto, July 30, 2 a.m.

7th Avenue 3100 block, breaking and entering auto, July 30, 4:15 a.m.

Patrick Street 1800 block, petit larceny, July 30, 12:20 p.m.

4th Avenue 1700 block, shoplifting, July 30, 3:21 p.m.

Cora Street 100 block, breaking and entering auto, July 30, 8 p.m.

Central Avenue 1100 block, breaking and entering auto, July 31, midnight.

Bigley Avenue 700 block, shoplifting, July 31, 4:45 p.m.

Delaware Avenue 500 block, shoplifting, July 31, 9 p.m.

6th Street 900 block, malicious wounding, Aug. 1, 1:21 a.m.

Alexander Street 1200 block, domestic assault, Aug. 1, 1:30 a.m.

Delaware Avenue 500 block, shoplifting, Aug. 2, 11:58 a.m.

Hills Plaza, robbery, Aug. 2, 3:30 p.m.

Washington Street West 400 block, shoplifting, Aug. 2, 4:30 p.m.

Wyoming Street 200 block, grand larceny auto, Aug. 2, 7:01 p.m.

Pennsylvania Avenue 1800 block, breaking and entering auto, Aug. 2, 9 p.m.

A handful of organizations will install thousands of free smoke alarms throughout West Virginia in the coming months.

State Fire Marshal Ken Tyree recently announced his campaign against an "unacceptable numbers of fire fatalities," which includes at least 37 statewide deaths this year.

His office will combat deaths and injuries with "Get Alarmed West Virginia," an initiative that will run in conjunction with efforts by the American Red Cross and other organizations.

The agencies hope to install a total of more than 3,500 alarms throughout the state during the campaigns, said Erica Mani, regional chief executive officer for the American Red Cross.

Everyone is qualified to receive free smoke alarms, Tyree said in an email. Volunteers will install alarms throughout the state between Sept. 9 and Oct. 14.

The American Red Cross - through its "Sound the Alarm, Save a Life" campaign - is recruiting volunteers in 100 cities to help install 100,000 alarms between Sept. 23 and Oct. 15.

Those interested in volunteering for Get Alarmed West Virginia can call 304-558-2191. Sign-ups also are available online at surveymonkey.com/r/x5knhzn.

Tyree said his office is asking volunteers to sign up by Aug. 16. Teams of three will install alarms during the campaign.

The American Red Cross is asking volunteers to sign up at redcross.org/sound-the-alarm. The nonprofit organization will focus on Charleston and Beckley, Mani said.

"This isn't really just about installing smoke alarms," she said. "This is about making homes safer and educating people about escaping a burning home."

Requests for the free alarms can be made by visiting redcross.org/local/west-virginia/home-fire-safety, or by calling 1-844-216-8286.

Mani said both agencies will provide smoke alarms and safety information during the installations.

According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal, fires killed 44 people in 2014. That number dropped slightly the following year, and it spiked to 58 last year.

Especially vulnerable people include children, the elderly and those with a disability, according to Tyree's email.

"At age 65, people are twice as likely to be killed or injured by fires compared to the population at large, especially those that live alone," he wrote.

His office also said West Virginians are more than three times more likely to die in a fire than residents of other states, citing statistics from the U.S. Fire Administration.

Mani said the average home requires three smoke alarms for optimum safety, though the number depends on the size and layout of each home.

Along with normal alarms, her agency also provides "bed shakers." The specialized alarms are meant for people who are deaf or hard-of-hearing.

Mani was unsure how much the upcoming initiative would cost in total. She said her organization must account for the cost of smoke alarms, batteries, educational materials, training and staffing.

However, she said it costs about $15 for one dual-sensor smoke alarm, which includes batteries that last up to 10 years. The projects are funded by donations and fundraisers.

The Home Fire Campaign, started by the American Red Cross in 2014, has documented a dozen incidents in which its smoke alarms saved a life in West Virginia, Mani said.

A woman's home caught fire in Beckley just two months after volunteers installed alarms in the house. An alarm woke the woman up, Mani said, and the home suffered only minor damages.

Mani said people generally have about two minutes from the start of a fire to safely escape the burning home. Photo albums or family heirlooms often are lost in the rush.

"She actually had enough time to grab her fire extinguisher, and the fire was small enough that she just put it out herself," Mani said.

Reach Giuseppe Sabella at giuseppe.sabella@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5189 or follow @Gsabella on Twitter.

MOHAWK, W.Va. (AP) - A West Virginia man has been arrested after he broke into his estranged wife's home with several weapons.

The Bluefield Daily Telegraph reports 30-year-old Benjamin Hodges was charged with several offenses, including night-time burglary and three counts of attempted murder.

State Police Trooper J.A. Tupper says Hodges broke into the residence of his estranged wife and their 2-year-old daughter on Thursday morning.

Authorities say Hodges was wearing a mask and was armed with three knives, a stun gun and brass knuckles. Tupper says he got into an altercation with his estranged wife's boyfriend, leaving the man with a severe laceration to his chest. The man was taken to the hospital for treatment and released.

Hodges was arrested at the scene. It's unclear if he has a lawyer.

A man likely drowned in the Kanawha River - his wrists handcuffed - after he ran from police on Thursday.

Howard Stiltner, 43, ran from South Charleston police officers after they arrested him on an obstruction charge, according to a news release from the Kanawha County Sheriff's Office, which is assisting the investigation.

Authorities found Stiltner's body in the water near Riverwalk Plaza on Saturday.

He originally escaped police as they walked him into the department for booking, according to the release.

Officers canvassed the area, and another department's police dog joined the search.

Stiltner, of Boone County, originally gave police a fake name and date of birth, the release states. An autopsy confirmed his identity on Monday.

Preliminary evidence suggests he died from drowning, according to the release.

An assistant prosecuting attorney in the Jefferson County Prosecutor's office has been nominated to serve as the U.S. Attorney in the Northern District of West Virginia, according to a news release from Sen. Shelly Moore Capito's office.

President Donald Trump nominated William J. Powell for the position last week, and consideration of Powell for the position will go to members of the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

Powell previously worked as an Assistant U.S. Attorney from 1990 to 1992, according to his job history on LinkedIn. He earned his undergraduate degree from Salem College in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, before attending the West Virginia University College of Law, from which he earned a law degree in 1985.

From 1985 until 2017 Powell worked at Jackson Kelly PLLC, working in the Charleston office before moving to the firm's Martinsburg location. He left his job at the law firm in April to become an assistant prosecutor in Jefferson County in May.

Lawyers representing the New Jersey-based company that owns Riverwalk Plaza in South Charleston and a local gambling parlor owner on Monday each claimed the other party was responsible for breaching a lease agreement between the entities in 2014.

BAI Riverwalk is suing Mimi's owner Harold Arbaugh for allegedly breaking the lease agreement, and Arbaugh's lawyers claim BAI's management company's response, or alleged lack thereof, to issues with the building made it impossible for his business to generate revenue.

BAI's attorney, Mychal Schulz, argued Arbaugh was looking for excuses to vacate the property and break the lease, while Arbaugh's attorney, David Barney, said Arbaugh was well within his rights to break the agreement as BAI had breached its end of the contract.

Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Joanna Tabit heard arguments in the case Monday at the Kanawha County Courthouse. BAI is seeking $91,285.80 in damages plus court and attorneys' fees.

In 2011, BAI Riverwalk purchased the South Charleston plaza, which also includes TJ Maxx and Kroger, from Kimco Realty Corp. At the time, Mimi's, which would later operate as Lisa's, was in a lease agreement for the space in the northwestern corner of the plaza, but the business wasn't open as Arbaugh was in legal proceedings with the City of South Charleston, he testified Monday.

As a condition of purchasing the property, BAI, by way of its management company Zamias Services, provided for mold remediation at the facility, Stephen Zamias, vice president of assets and management for Zimias Services, testified Monday. Zamias Services is headquartered in Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

Lisa's opened in the plaza in January 2012. Arbaugh testified Monday that customers began complaining of an odor in the business that same month, and mold remediation took place again in May 2012. Barney said neither mold remediation was successful, and Tommy Clay, owner of Clay's Music Company in Belle, and Ron McVey, president of Camel Technologies in Dunbar, testified that the roof in the facility leaked and they saw mold there.

Clay provided video gambling machines for the business, but he said he removed them after they sustained water damage. McVey testified his technicians cleaned and replaced cameras in the facility multiple times after they showed signs of water damage.

The roof of the facility was replaced during the summer of 2013, Zamias testified, and Arbaugh claimed construction crew members ripped out telephone line and other wiring necessary to his business's function during that project.

The last rent payment Arbaugh made to BAI was on Dec. 1, 2013, and he vacated the property in January 2014.

Schulz pointed out Monday that none of the three men who testified on behalf of the defense provided any photos or other documents that proved the facility's roof leaked or mold was present.

In November 2014, BAI leased one-half of the space previously occupied by Lisa's to Ivy's. The other half of the space has not been leased since it was vacated by Mimi's, operating as Lisa's.

Tabit said Monday they case would continue 30 days after attorneys received transcripts of Monday's proceedings.

Reach Lacie Pierson at lacie.pierson@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-1723 or follow @LaciePierson on Twitter.

A maintenance worker at the Beni Kedem Temple in Charleston alleges he was defamed and has suffered from anxiety and other issues after being caught up in a conflict of power among members of Beni Kedem in 2012 and 2013.

A jury on Monday heard arguments and testimony in the case of Mark Mullins, who still is a maintenance worker at the temple and says Beni Kedem members, including current and former Beni Kedem officials intimidated, threatened, and spied on him as part of an ongoing clash among certain factions of the organization.

In addition to the Beni Kedem organization, current members Martin Castleberry, Lawrence Bolling, and Larry Brannon are named as defendants in the lawsuit. Former Shriner Denver Earl "Skip" King and Shriners International are named as defendants in the lawsuit that is being tried in the courtroom of Kanawha County Circuit Judge Joanna Tabit.

Tuesday was the first day of the trial.

Mullins alleges the defendants violated the West Virginia Wiretapping and Electronic Surveillance Act and committed intrusion, libel, defamation, slander, assault, invasion of privacy, and false imprisonment while engaging in a civil conspiracy against him.

The timeline of case begins prior to Mullins's involvement in a 2012 incident involving King and Thomas Black, the recorder at the temple at 100 Quarrier St., in Charleston.

The exact quarrel that occurred between King and Black was unclear, but testimony Tuesday indicated it had something to do with Black's use of the kitchen. Black and King both testified that a verbal argument ensued between them.

Black and King both alleged the other attempted multiple times to get the other expelled from the organization.

Black also appealed to the Grand Lodge of West Virginia about the 2012 incident, and on Oct. 15, 2013, Grand Lodge officials voted to expel King, who subsequently was expelled from the local organization in Charleston, according to a letter from the Grand Lodge that Mullins's attorney, John Alderman, submitted as evidence.

This is when Mullins claimed he was dragged into the conflict between the men.

When the ruling was issued, Black testified he instructed Mullins to post the ruling in the building, per an order from the temple's provost, and Mullins complied.

In his testimony, Castleberry said King was upset that the ruling had been posted, and King was authorized by Larry Bolling, who was Illustrious Potentate of the organization at the time, to put together a committee to find who posted the letter. They saw Mullins posting the letter using the facility's surveillance cameras.

After King was expelled in October 2013, he and other members of the organization were investigating a claim they made against Black, and Mullins and King testified that King contacted him on a Friday evening that October, saying Mullins needed to come to the temple.

Mullins came from his home in Elkview to the temple, where he said King, Castleberry and two other members were present and asked him for a key to an office that was used by Black and at least three other people.

Mullins told King he didn't have a key, and King became angry, called Mullins a liar and aggressively yelled and pointed at Mullins until Mullins gave him his keys, Mullins testified Tuesday. When Mullins' keys didn't work for the office, King contacted another temple employee to get a key, according to testimony from both men. King and Castleberry left to get the key, but Mullins said he felt intimidated by the remaining two men. Mullins said he managed to leave the building by telling the men he had to use the restroom and leaving through a nearby door.

Following the Friday evening event, Mullins, King, and Castleberry met the next day at the law office of Larry Kopelman, where Mullins says the men coached him in giving a statement against Black, under threat of his job.

The men's testimony regarding who set up the meeting and whether Mullins was coached was inconsistent Tuesday. King and Castleberry said Mullins contacted them and wanted to give a statement, and Mullins said the men contacted him.

Mullins also claimed there were two West Virginia State Police troopers present at the law office when he arrived, leading him to believe he couldn't leave the facility. King and Castleberry said no troopers were there.

The recording of Mullins' statement has since been destroyed, but it was transcribed by Kopelman's then-secretary, Sonya Springsteen. Springsteen said Tuesday she transcribed the interview and did notice at least five points where it seemed the recording had been paused and re-started.

Mullins signed the statement after it was transcribed the following Monday, according to testimony Tuesday, but he said at least 90 percent of the statement was false when he testified Tuesday.

Mullins's statement was taken to Bolling, and Mullins said it also was shared "with ill will and malice" to other parties within the organization, leading to distrust toward him among members of the temple where he works.

Reach Lacie Pierson at 304-348-1723, lacie.pierson@wvgazettemail.com or follow @LaciePierson on Twitter.