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By ROBERT A. DEFRANK
Times Leader Staff Writer
ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- A St. Clairsville man accused of shooting and killing two dogs was arraigned in Belmont County Common Pleas Court Thursday.
Michael Andrew Chedester, 60, of 67411 Mills Road, St. Clairsville, pleaded innocent before Judge Frank Fregiato to two counts of knowingly causing serious physical harm to a companion animal, a fifth-degree felony allegedly occurring Nov. 28. His pre-trial hearing was set for Feb. 21, with a plea agreement deadline of March 6 and trial on March 14.
A recognizance bond was set. Chedester faces one year on each count.
Chedester allegedly shot and killed two dogs belonging to Pete Byers while in a tree stand hunting for deer.
The charges are fifth-degree felonies under Goddard's Law, which increased animal cruelty charges from misdemeanors, as they were previously classified.
American Electric Power, Chedester's former employer, fired him shortly after the alleged incident.
In other arraignments, George Lee Harris, 43, of 813 Howard St., Bridgeport, pleaded innocent to one count of possession of drugs, a first-degree felony, and three counts of trafficking in drugs -- including one first-degree felony and two fifth-degree felonies -- all allegedly occurring Sept. 23.
Harris' pre-trial hearing was set for Jan. 23, with a plea agreement deadline of Feb. 6 and trial on Feb. 23. His bond of $41,000 was continued.
Charges stem from a raid on the Bridgeport home, where about $5,000 and 40 grams of cocaine reportedly were seized.
Wesley Warren Taylor, 27, of 125 Orchard Drive, St. Clairsville, pleaded innocent to two counts of aggravated vehicular assault, third-degree felonies, and one count of driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or with a certain concentration of alcohol, a first-degree misdemeanor, all allegedly occurring Oct. 31. His pre-trial hearing was set for Feb. 13, with a plea agreement deadline of March 13 and trial on March 21.
Taylor's recognizance bond was continued. He faces a maximum of five years each for the assault charges and six months for the DUI charge.
Taylor's charges stem from an incident in which officers were called to a two-vehicle crash on Ohio 9 in Richland Township. Taylor's vehicle had overturned, and the driver and passenger of the other vehicle suffered multiple severe injuries.
Police said Taylor, who allegedly had a blood-alcohol concentration above the legal limit, went left of center, causing the crash.
Phillip Edward Reilley, 27, of 632 Columbus Ave., Martins Ferry, currently incarcerated on a separate case, pleaded innocent to two counts of trafficking in drugs, one count in the presence of a juvenile, felonies of the fourth- and fifth-degree allegedly occurring Jan. 24. His pre-trial hearing was set for Feb. 13, with a plea agreement deadline of Feb. 27 and trial on March 16. His bond was continued at $5,000.
Deshaun Demtris Mims, 36, of 511 Walden Ave., Tiltonsville, pleaded innocent to two counts of trafficking in drugs in the vicinity of a school, a felony of the third degree allegedly occurring Dec. 2, 2015. His pre-trial hearing was set for Feb. 6, with a plea agreement deadline of Feb. 21 and trial on Feb. 28. Bond was continued at $50,000.
Matthew C. Totterdale, 65, of 1788 Guernsey St. Rear, Bellaire, pleaded innocent to three counts of trafficking in drugs, felonies of the fourth degree allegedly occurring Nov. 17, 2015. His pre-trial hearing was set for Feb. 6, with a plea agreement deadline of Feb. 21 and trial on March 7. His recognizance bond was continued.
Kyle Randel Keiser, 30, of 36501 Chestnut Ridge Road, Barnesville, pleaded innocent to receiving stolen property, a fifth-degree felony allegedly occurring Aug. 20. His pre-trial hearing was set for March 13, with a plea agreement deadline of April 10 and trial on May 4. His recognizance bond was continued.
Donald Charles Menough, 48, of 4101 Harrison St., Bellaire, pleaded innocent to two counts of trafficking in drugs in the vicinity of a school, felonies of the fourth degree allegedly occurring Nov. 20. His pre-trial hearing was set for March 27, with a plea agreement deadline of April 24 and trial on May 9. His bond was continued at $13,000.