Leftwich lawyer to file appeal extension

Michelle James
Register-Herald Reporter

August 27, 2008 11:35 pm

— Mark Hobbs, defense attorney for Thomas Leftwich, the 25-year-old Beckley man who is serving life in prison for the murder of a Beckley police officer, will appear in Raleigh County Circuit Court today where he is expected to ask for an extension of time to file an appeal as well as to request that he be withdrawn as counsel.
The hearing was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but Hobbs was a no-show. Judge H.L. Kirkpatrick said there had been confusion as to when the hearing was to take place.
Leftwich, who was convicted earlier this year in the Aug. 29, 2006, shooting death of Detective Cpl. Chuck Smith, appeared by video from Central Regional Jail and chief deputy prosecutor Kristen Keller was present for the hearing.
Kirkpatrick said Hobbs will file a motion for an extension for the appeal since the deadline to file is Friday. Also, Kirkpatrick said, Hobbs will withdraw as Leftwich’s attorney and is expected to raise a few other issues related to the appeal.
— E-mail:
mjames@register-herald.com