DISMISSED - Judge Nibert Drops Drug Case, State Police Lost Evidence

(04/24/2007)
Judge David Nibert dismissed drug charges yesterday against John M. Richards, after the Grantsville detachment of the West Virginia State Police threw away or lost the evidence.

Richards had been facing multiple counts related to the alleged operation of a meth lab in south Grantsville.

Richards' attorney, Robert C. Catlett, requested the dismissal.

Catlett asked the state to dismiss with prejudice (cannot be re-filed) or in the alternative to disallow any mention of the alleged evidence during a trial.

More to follow on dismissal story.

During yesterday's court, a case against Christina Vandal was scheduled for May.

A status hearing was held for Stephen M. Buvoltz.