Stull Case Bound Over To Pocahontas Grand Jury

Marlinton, WV – Under increased security provided by the Pocahontas County Sheriffs’ Department and the West Virginia State Police, Charles Edward Stull appeared before Senior Status Magistrate Judge Danith Miller in Pocahontas County Magistrate court in Marlinton.

Stull, age 49 of Durbin, is accused of fatally shooting Jesse Bennett, age 20, also of Durbin. Stull claims the shooting was accidental. After speaking with his court appointed attorney Eugene Simmons, Stull agreed to waive his hearing in Magistrate court. Consequently, one count of Voluntary Manslaughter and four counts of Wanton Endangerment will be presented to the Pocahontas County Grand Jury, possibly as early as the next session in August.

Stull is also charged with one misdemeanor count of being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, stemming from a previous conviction on a domestic violence charge. However no action was taken on the misdemeanor.

Simmons asked Pocahontas County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney JL Clifton to provide copies of the four witness statements gathered by police on the night of the incident. He also asked Clifton about the amount of the cash bond for Stull.

Clifton says the cash bond is set at $115,000 – 50,000 for the Manslaughter charge and 65,000 for the Wanton Endangerment charges.

Simmons can petition the Pocahontas Circuit Court for a reduction in the amount of the bond. Stull was allowed to visit with family members in the hearing room for a short time before being returned to the Tygarts Valley Regional Jail.