Published: June 10, 2008 08:33 pm         

Petition to revoke Beckley man’s probation withdrawn

The prosecution withdrew its petition in Raleigh County Circuit Court Tuesday to revoke the probation of a 24-year-old Beckley man, citing the cost of bringing in a witness to testify regarding the evidence.

Assistant prosecutor Tom Truman said, although Christopher Parker, who was placed on probation in March, tested positive for drugs, the fee it would cost the state to request and provide expert testimony from the lab which conducted the screening was too big of a financial burden.

In March, Judge Robert Burnside sentenced Parker to consecutive sentences of one to five years for manufacturing marijuana and one year for fleeing. Parker also received one year for receiving stolen property, to run concurrently.

The sentences were suspended and Parker was ordered to serve 18 months’ probation