BECKLEY, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – A man awaiting trial after being charged with first-degree murder and other charges was granted bond Monday morning.
According to police reports, Ramon Isaiah Edwards III was taken into custody in March of 2019 in reference to the shooting and killing of 23-year-old Jalen Laqua Joe. The shooting took place at 410 2nd Street in Beckley.
Ewards was charged with first-degree murder and 13 counts of wanton endangerment shortly after being taken into custody. Ewards was still armed at the time of his arrest.
Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney Ben Hatfield represented the state of West Virginia on Monday and said he strongly opposed Edward’s attorney’s renewed motion for bond.
According to Hatfield, the bond was granted- and set at $150,000 payable by cash or surety bond with the condition of home incarceration- because Dr. Allen Mock, the medical examiner in the case who Hatfield will call as a witness, has been on extended emergency medical leave since December 30, 2020.
The earliest Dr. Mock can return and testify is September 1, 2021.
Edward’s trial has been set for November 15, 2021. A pretrial hearing will be held at 1:30 p.m. on October 25, 2021.
