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State v. Crowe - Juvenile Transfer Sentencing Affirmed

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals affirmed the Circuit Court of Hancock County's February 15, 2024 sentencing order imposing two consecutive 40-year terms (80 years total) on Petitioner Connor Crowe for second-degree murder convictions. Crowe, who was 13 at the time of the offenses, was transferred from juvenile to adult criminal jurisdiction and argued the circuit court failed to properly weigh mitigating circumstances under West Virginia Code § 61-11-23(c). The Court found no substantial question of law and no prejudicial error.

Cook Affirmed - Third-Degree Sexual Assault Conviction

The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia affirmed Thomas Woodrow Cook's third-degree sexual assault conviction, rejecting his claim that evidence was insufficient to prove identity and his challenge to the Child's Uncorroborated Testimony jury instruction. The court applied a de novo standard of review to his motion for judgment of acquittal, finding that any rational trier of fact could have found the essential elements proved beyond a reasonable doubt.

State v. Steele — First-Degree Arson Conviction Affirmed on Appeal

The West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals affirmed the Circuit Court of McDowell County's conviction of Harry Lee Steele for first-degree arson, upholding the denial of Steele's motion to suppress his confession and finding sufficient evidence to support the jury's verdict. Steele received a 20-year prison sentence, which the appellate court also affirmed. The court applied abuse-of-discretion review to the suppression ruling and de novo review to voluntariness of the confession, finding no reversible error.