In Around West Virginia today: the case of a man killed by police is appealed in federal court, a pastor intervenes in an incident of domestic violence, and more.
n A federal appeals court has tentatively set a hearing to hear oral arguments over whether a judge erred when she ruled in favor of police who shot and killed a man, according to The Journal. Wayne Jones was shot 22 times in March of 2013 by five officers after police said he stabbed an officer during an altercation. After his estate filed a civil suit in June of 2013, U.S. District Court Judge Gina Groh issued a summary judgement in favor of the officers. The U.S. 4th Circuit of Appeals has tentatively scheduled a hearing for its March 22-25 session.
n Philip Farrington, a pastor who intervened when another man was attacking the man's ex-wife, describes what happened for WVVA. Farrington said he was driving by the Macarthur Walmart on Sunday when he saw John Thornquest beating up his ex-wife. Thornquest allegedly slammed the woman's head into the ground then beat her unconscious using a metal pipe. Farrington fired a shot into the air and blocked the woman from more abuse with his own body. Another man who came by helped him subdue Thornquest until police arrived.
n The Ohio County Board of Education chose not to renew the superintendent's contract at its meeting Tuesday, WTRF reports. Two board members, including Sarah Koegler, voted against the motion. Koegler said board members should have shown more professional courtesy by telling the superintendent, Dr. Dianna Vargo, if she was not meeting expectations.
n The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources and the Department of Environmental Protection will be collecting Christmas trees at the Capitol Market in Charleston on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will then sink the trees into West Virginia lakes to be used as fish attracting structures.
Reach Erin Beck at erin.beck@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-5163, Facebook.com/erinbeckwv, or follow @erinbeckwv on Twitter.