BECKLEY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Sentencing was delayed on Friday for a Raleigh County man convicted of sexually assaulting his granddaughter and producing pornographic material based on the incident.
Robert Douglas Hatcher – 65 years old of Sophia, WV – on Friday went before Raleigh County Circuit Court Judge, Robert Burnside for a Post-Verdict Judgement of Acquittal and Sentencing Hearing based on charges upon which Hatcher was indicted in September by a Raleigh County Grand Jury.
The charges referenced as part of the indictment include First Degree Sexual Abuse, Second Degree Sexual Assault, Sexual Abuse by Parent Guardian Custodian or Person in Position of Trust, Child Pornography, Use of Minor in Filming Sexually Explicit Conduct.
The case was investigated by the West Virginia State Police and is being prosecuted by Raleigh County Prosecuting Attorney, Ben Hatfield, who secured a “guilty” verdict in Raleigh County Court in November of last year.
Proceedings hit a wall of sorts during Friday’s sentencing hearing, which Hatfield says was characterized by extended disputes between the defense and prosecution and ultimately resulted in a delay in potential sentencing.
Involved parties will reconvene on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 9:30am, for a potential decision from Judge Burnside.
Additional LOOTPRESS coverage for the Raleigh County area can be found here.
