Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Duke Bloom ruled yesterday that the state Coal Mine Safety Board of Appeals decision to slash the fine to $10,000 was arbitrary and capricious.

Massey has a long history of not paying fines or paying greatly reduced fines.

The company says they will review their options.

The case was the first legal test of a key mine safety provision adopted after the deaths of 14 West Virginia miners in two 2006 accidents.