The facilities of the Judicial Annex are insufficient for housing a large jury pool like those in murder trials, while accounting for social distancing and other health measures. This led to the trial being moved to the Old Kanawha County Courthouse across the street. Using several rooms throughout the old courthouse provides for the space needed, however it requires unique arrangements for security.
The courtroom to be used has been upgraded with new technological equipment to allow the trial to be viewed remotely via the web. To receive instructions for viewing the trial please contact the Kanawha County Court Administrators Office. No one from the public will be admitted into the courtroom in person.
Sergeant Anderson with the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office has led the security arrangements. Our agency has also worked diligently with the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department, the West Virginia Supreme Court, and the Kanawha County Circuit Clerk’s Office to anticipate how the standard needs of a jury trial can be modified for the new venue and health precautions.
Protecting the rights of the accused and providing a fair trial is of fundamental importance in our society. And, as is always the case in criminal matters, the charge against Ms. Gatewood is merely an accusation. She is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.