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By Liz Beavers
lbeavers@newstribune.info
Tribune Managing Editor
KEYSER – Just four days before his jury trial was set to begin, Keyser businessman Brian Smith has entered into a plea agreement in the sexual abuse case filed against him almost three years ago.
Smith had been charged with the felonies of first degree sexual abuse and sexual abuse by a guardian, custodian, or person in a position of trust in connection with an incident that was to have occurred in June 2009.
Before a packed courtroom – most of whom were family members and supporters of either Smith or the teen-age victim - Smith entered a plea of guilty to a misdemeanor charge of battery.
Several members of the victim – who was 14 at the time of the incident – tearfully appealed for Judge Lynn Nelson to sentence Smith to the maximum penalty of one year in prison and/of a $500 fine.
For further details on the plea agreement and what was said in the courtroom, see Friday's Mineral Daily News Tribune.
By Liz Beavers
lbeavers@newstribune.info
Tribune Managing Editor
KEYSER – Just four days before his jury trial was set to begin, Keyser businessman Brian Smith has entered into a plea agreement in the sexual abuse case filed against him almost three years ago.
Smith had been charged with the felonies of first degree sexual abuse and sexual abuse by a guardian, custodian, or person in a position of trust in connection with an incident that was to have occurred in June 2009.
Before a packed courtroom – most of whom were family members and supporters of either Smith or the teen-age victim - Smith entered a plea of guilty to a misdemeanor charge of battery.
Several members of the victim – who was 14 at the time of the incident – tearfully appealed for Judge Lynn Nelson to sentence Smith to the maximum penalty of one year in prison and/of a $500 fine.
For further details on the plea agreement and what was said in the courtroom, see Friday's Mineral Daily News Tribune.
