Part of the reason that I have not posted lately is because I was preparing for a jury trial in Summers County, West Virginia, in a third-degree sexual assault case – basically a “he said – she said” situation. I am pleased to note that the trial went extremely well. It lasted for about a day and a half. After the jury deliberated for about an hour and twenty minutes on Friday, they came back with a unanimous verdict of not guilty.

It is interesting to note that the investigating officer in the case testified on the witness stand during cross examination that trace evidence disappears after 3 weeks. I asked him if he ever watches “Cold Case Files”…. He replied that he did not. I have a feeling however that the jurors had seen it.

– John H. Bryan, West Virginia Attorney.