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e
Volume 92 No. 22
The
HINTON NEWS
(Continuing the Hinton Daily News & The Weekend Leader)
• Home of the W. Va. Water Festival
Hinton, West Virginia Tuesday Sept. 21, 1993
25
Cents
Letter Alleging Consent
Frees' Man From
30-Year Prison Term
By Fred Long
A former Hinton man, after serv-
ing two years of a 30 year prison
term, in what is probably one of the
most bizarre sex trials in recent past,
will be set free today on the strength
era letter his wife allegedly wrote;
saying, =it was the only way I would
get away from you and West Vir-
ginia," County Prosecutor Tom
Canterbury said.
=I'm going to nullify the indict-
ments and do my own investiga-
tion," Canterbury said, because the
letter suggests that aninnocent man
may have been convicted. =I'm con-
fused about it. So, I'm going to find
out for myself."
In Jan. 1990, a four day trial in
Circuit Court found, Charles Daniel
O'Donnell, 31, guilty of forcing his
wife to engaging in "kinky group
sex with two other men at their
Hinton home on the early morning
hours of July 30, 1989.
O'Donnell was sentenced to a 30-
year prison term but, because of the
letter, the 41rote Supreme Court
reversed the sex conviction last July
and returned the case to Summers
County for a new trial.
The letter, authenticated by hand-
writing experts for both the State
and the defendant, indicates that
O'Donnell's former wife may have
consented to the group sex acts.
=Now it's over and there is noth-
ing you can do about it, she alleg-
edly said in the letter, q told you
long ago they're my kids. We had
fun that night. It was the only way
I would get away from you and West
Virginia .... You should have known
no one would believe you without
the pictures.
The Supreme Court found the
letter =completely contradictory to
Mrs. O2nnell'sin-court testimony."
=I'm not going to prosecute some-
one unless I have the evidence to
convict him," Canterbury said; "and,
if I'm not sure, how am I going to
convince a jury?
Although O'Donnell declined an
interview with the press, his Prince-
ton attorney, Thomas Czarnik, said
he =sounded pretty happy," when he
learned the charg would be dis-
missed.
=While it took time the system
worked," Czarnik said. roomuch of
the criminal justice system is just
winning and losing. The defence
attorney does his job and prosecutor
tries to convict. There are some
innocent people in jail.
O'Donnell's two year prison time
satisfies a prison sentence issued
when he failed to appear for sentenc-
ing following his 1990 conviction.
O'Donnell remained a fugitive
from justice for over a year, until
TV's =America's Most Wanted aired
a segment on him in March 1991.
Two months later he was sentenced
to a two-to-10 year prison term on
one count of sexual assault of a
spouse; and, two, 10-to-20 year sen-
tences for two counts of aiding and
abetting two men to also sexually
assault her without the woman giv-
ing consent.
While incarcerated in the county
jail, awaiting transfer toMoundsville
State Penitentiary, he received the
letter reported to be written by his
wife and postmarked from Mary-
land on July 7, 1991.
STEEL FOR THE NEW SUMMERS COUNTYHIGH
SCHOOL GYMNASIUM started goinguplast week
and the outside walls are up to window level as
the new county high ovhool begins to "grow" from
the ground. "We're very pleased with the prog-
ress, n said 12-year veteran Frank Rhinehart,
construction manager for Swope Construction
seen it this good for a job. Rhinehart said time
tables vail for the roof to be on by Christmas Eve,
but ff the weather holds out, like it has, that may
happen earlier. Although the completion date for
the 130,000 square foot, $7.1 million educational
complex is July 31,1994, Rhinehart said "with the
team we have here we should get out early2
,::::::::::::::::
HINTON'S WASTEWATER TREATMENT plant Leslie, Bill Pence, plant superintendent; EPA
won top honors from the U. S. Environmental repremsntative Jim Kern, RESA 1 representative
Protection Agency as the best operated facility in Rick Rice and Be Wood, operator. Photo by Curt
five states. Shown above (L to R) are: Bobby Messer
Parker, operator; Lyn Long, architect; Mayor Jim
EPA s.e00iects00 Hinton's
Wastewater Plant
Best in State
When it comes to operations and in each state could win the award. Broop Wynes =for their dedication
maintenance excellence for waste- Leslie extended appreciation to and hard work in maintaining such
water treatment facilities you need plant operators Bill Pence, superin- an excellent work ethic."
go no further than Hinton to find the tendent; Bobby Parker, Be Wood and
best in five states, according to EPA
standards. "'' "
On Wednesday afternoon, Jim i!ii::!::i::i::!i!iii:i::.:.:... i
Kern, environmental engineer with .:)i!i '
• ,:." ":?' ,:::'Z':.
Region IIIofthe U. S. Environmental z. ..:
Protection Agency, presented the
withCity of Hinton and the plant itselfa plaque honoring the treat- i i!!i !!!i!i!!!! !i! ii ii iiiiii!4
ment facility for "exhibiting out- i::
N000000i:ii00i
nance which contributes to environ-
mental protection." Each of the four City crew removing brueh from the property on Stokes Drive last
operators received a patch, week. Photo by Curt Memmr
"This isindeedaproudaccom- City Cleaning Up
plishrnent for this community," said
Hinton Mayor James A. Leslie, Jr.
=Because of the New River Gorge The City of Hinton began clean- said.
National Park, it is very important ingthebrush, weedsanddebrisfrom =This is a good partnership be-
that we operate and maintain an the property along lower Stokes tween the railroad and this commu-
excellent water quality. We should Drive, last week, after reaching an nity," Leslie said.
beproudthatwehavebuiltafacility agreement with CSX Transporta-
that works, and works efficiently." tion to clear the area for potential According to Leslie, removing the
Hinton's plant was one of 3,700 future business growth, debris will =permit higher visibility"
public facilities vying for the honor The city administration and the to the valuable commercial property
in the region that is composed of reality division for CSXTransporta- but =it creates an awareness of the
Virginia,Maryland, Delaware,Penn- tion, in Jacksonville, Fl., is actively existence of this valuable property."
sylvania, West Virginia and the soliciting business for this property, The City hopes to complete the
Co. 'rhe weather has been optimum. Ihavenever Photo by Curt Measer DistrictofColumbia. Only one plant Hinton Mayor James A. Leslie Jr. work by Oct. 8.
Restoration of Avis JCPenney Catalog Sales
Bridge Suggested
sentiments of local government, Business Opening Soon
By Fred Long Leslie said, is to save the structure.
Public sentiments, because only Weql probably go on record in favor
one side showed up, Thursday, for a of restoration. We would not want
town meeting at City Hall to voice this structure destroyed. JCPenney Co. will establish a Winter JCPenney general catalog and decorative accessories, leisure fashions and accessories.
opinions on the fate of the old Avis The old bridge, constructed by the catalog service here, in the former will be available at the store in a few and recreational goods, furniture, Holly explained that a combina-
Overhead Bridge, are to restore the city and the C & O Railroad in 1927, Sears location on Temple St., begin- weeks, electronicsandhomeentertainment tion of high speed communication
bridge to its original look and condi- is in need of repair, and presently ningOct. 18, HaroldandDoris Holly, The catalog has offers over 500 equipment, small appliances, and and rapid truck delivery to this area
tion. has a weight limit of 12 tons; but owners of the new business, an- pages of fashion apparel for the automotive accessories, will enable orders to be filled in two
=People that want a new bridge Leslie said it isn't "hazardous to nouneod today, family including popular name-la- to four days.
aren't here, Hinton Mayor James normal weight traffic, although the We'resohappyhere,"Dorissaid, bel and JCPenney private label To assist customers with their Customers may place an order
A Leslie, Jr. said when questioned tight turn as you enter the bridge off =andwehadsomayofourcustomers items. Many items are available in decorating needs, a collection of either in person at the store or by
why the meeting was called. =The Bridge St. has been the scene of that wanted us to stay. We were hard-to-find sizes such as petits and swatchbookscontainingbedspread, calling466-2111. When the rder is
people that wanted this meeting many amishap, lookingforsomethingthatwouldfill tails for women, extra.tall and big curtain and drapery samples from placed,thecustomerreceivesimme-
aren't here. Some suggested widening that a need in Summers County. sizes for men, prep sizes for boys' the current catalog will be available diate confirmation of merchandise
Leslie said when the city learned turn or direct traffic up Main St. "JCPenney fit that need, Harold and girls'junior-high and half sizes, atthecatalogdesk. Usingthe$watch availability. JCPenney offers cus-
that federal money for either rester- Presently renovation plans are added. =We are confident they will Holly said. book, customers may compare col- tomers several convenient credit
ing or replacing the bridge would be being developed by the Dept. of find the same timely and friendly ors, textures, and patterns before options, including it's own regular
available, severalpeopleapproached Highways with a target date of1995 eervico here that theyfound at our Special fashion sections in the ordering. In addition a special ap- or major purchase charge plans.
him about replacing it, including for work to begin. State Senator former catalog desk. catalog feature maternity apparel parel cat;log will be available. Visa, MasterCard, and American
House Delegate Arnold Ryan. Leonard Anderson has a commit- for work or casual wear, and bridal Among the catalogs offered are Express are also accepted.
=I told him he was talking to the merit for the work to be done, if the The new business, Harold said, gowns and accessories for thebride, clothing for extra.tall and big men, The JCPenney Catalog Sales
wrong person," Leslie said. community wants it done, and said, will offer shop-at-home telephone bridesmaids, flower girls, and rugged work clothes, uniforms for Merchant will be open from 9:00 to
Although no formal decision was about $2.9 million is available for servi and orders can be picked up mother-of-the-bride. Other mer- womenandmen, fashion apparel for 5:00, Monday thru Friday and g:00
made concernfng the bridge, the the project, at the store. Copies of the Fall/ chandiseincludes home furnishings women and half eizee, and bridal to 12:00 on Saturday.