KINGWOOD, W.Va. — A judge denied bond for Scott Allen Cartwright on Dec. 19, citing public safety and the criminal complaint.
Cartwright, 39, of Reedsville, is one of three people charged with the Oct. 4 robbery of Becky’s Hot Spot in Masontown.
According to the criminal complaint, two men stole the night deposit and beat the clerk, then attempted to kidnap her and stole her vehicle. Also charged are Dwight Howard Clary and Haley Nicole Dinges.
Cartwright has been held without bond at the Tygart Valley Regional Jail since Nov. 1. His attorney, Justin Gregory, asked Preston Circuit Judge Steve Shaffer that bond be set “at a reasonable amount.” He said evidence in the case is weak against his client.
Preston Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Megan Allender disagreed.
“At a Nov. 9 hearing, the victim testified she was still suffering from injuries where she was struck on the head by a metal item,” Allender said. She said although the attacker was wearing a mask, the victim identified Cartwright by his unique walk.
She said Cartwright knew where the victim worked and his cell phone records place him at the scene. “A lot of people knew where she worked,” Gregory said.
The victim, “was severely beaten and abducted,” Allender said. She said Cartwright has two other felonies on his record. “He has a history of violence,” Allender added, “and attempted murder is a capital crime.”
“Based on the criminal complaint and to secure the safety of the public, the court is going to deny bond at this time,” Shaffer said.
Story by Kathy Plum