July–October 1869 · Kingwood
Elihu Gregg is tried at Preston Academy; an appeal leads to a second trial
Following the courthouse fire, Elihu Gregg's arson case was heard at Preston Academy in Kingwood. Indicted on July 12, he was found guilty on July 19 and sentenced to hang. William G. Brown Sr. led the prosecution while prosecuting attorney Charles Hooton was ill. In August, the Supreme Court of Appeals reversed the judgment after finding that defense evidence had been improperly excluded. A second trial produced another guilty verdict, and on October 21 Gregg was again sentenced to death, with execution set for January 28, 1870. The proceedings connect the loss of Preston County's records with the Academy's temporary use as a courthouse and Brown's legal career.
Research status: Verified
- Additional source
State of West Virginia v. Gregg, 17 W. Va. 557 (1880): confirms reversal and October 1869 retrial and sentence
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