Harrison Magistrate Mark Gorby adamantly maintains his innocence, according to one of his lawyers, Belinda Haynie of Morgantown.
CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Harrison County grand jurors have indicted suspended Magistrate Mark Gorby on five counts of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or a person in a position of trust.
The grand jury reported the indictment early Thursday afternoon, with Harrison Circuit Judge James A. Matish presiding.
Mononogalia County Prosecutor Marcia Ashdown — appointed as special prosecutor on the case — presented the allegations by State Police Cpl. K.G. Murray in the investigation.
The next step will be for a judge to arraign Gorby, a hearing in which the magistrate will plead innocent and the court will address details such as bail and the trial schedule. It’s unclear when Gorby’s arraignment will be held, and also whether a special judge will be brought in to handle the case.
The matter will be set for trial sometime in the term of court that began with the grand jury’s work this week and lasts until Sept. 4.
Gorby’s former stepdaughter, now 18, is the accuser…
