Published: March 21, 2008 11:35 pm         

Suspect posts reduced bond; counts tossed

SUMMERSVILLE — A Nicholas County man jailed this week on $12 million bond was released Friday after 375 of 400 sexual assault counts against him were dismissed and his bond was reduced.

Howard H. “Sonny” Neil, 70, of Euclid Avenue in the Lockwood area west of Summersville, was able to post $200,000 bond, using property and a bonding service, following a hearing in Nicholas Magistrate Court, where the original high number of counts was termed to be unmanageable.

Neil was arrested Monday and charged with 400 counts of sexual assault by a parent, guardian or custodian. He was accused of sexually assaulting a female under the age of 12 over a four-year period from 1998 through 2002.

According to court records, the alleged victim lives in another state.

Neil was arraigned before Magistrate Bobby Gordon, who set bond at $12 million and scheduled a preliminary hearing for Friday.

More than 20 people, including Neil’s family and friends, were on hand for Friday’s hearing, where tempers flared between the family, the sheriff’s office, the prosecutor and Neil’s attorney, Matthew Victor of Charleston, over the multitude of charges.

After an agreement was finally reached by all parties, Magistrate John Morton stated for the record he was dismissing 375 of the 400 counts because the high number was not manageable for the court.

Neil then waived his preliminary hearing on the remaining 25 felony counts, sending the case to a circuit court grand jury.

As part of the negotiations, Neil’s bond was reduced to $200,000. The sheriff’s office said it was disappointed in that amount because it did not reflect the seriousness of the allegations.

Prosecutor Mark Hudnall said Thursday the investigation was continuing. He said sheriff’s deputies arrested Neil on Monday because it was believed he posed a flight risk.

If convicted, Neil would face 10 to 25 years in prison for each count.