By STEVEN ALLEN ADAMS
The Parkersburg News and Sentinel
(Photos courtesy of the West Virginia Supreme Court and West Virginia Legislative Photography)
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A recent decision by the West Virginia Supreme Court tracks with legislation meant to reduce punishment for non-violent felonies, but a justice believes the court re-wrote state law.
The Supreme Court ruled in a 4-1 decision on April 3 that the life sentence meted Wyoming County resident Joe Roger Lane should be reversed. The case was sent back to the Wyoming County Circuit Court for re-sentencing.
The 45-year-old Lane was convicted and sentenced to life in prison in 2015 after he was charged with selling prescription painkillers.
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