PINEVILLE —
Medwin Willard returned to Southern Regional Jail Monday following a preliminary hearing in connection with the kidnapping and assault of his grandparents, Ord and Joyce Vance, in Baileysville Jan. 3.
The judge found probable cause and the case will go before an upcoming grand jury, according to Sheriff Randall Aliff.
Joyce Vance testified during the proceedings Monday, Aliff said.
Willard, 33, lived with his grandparents and reportedly held his grandparents and his 11-year-old son hostage at knife-point after an argument turned violent during the Jan. 3 incident, according to officials.
Willard was charged with three counts of kidnapping, two counts of malicious wounding, grand larceny for stealing the elderly couple’s truck, and two counts of violent crimes against the elderly, according to Aliff.
Willard allegedly beat both his grandparents, then fled in their truck, police said. The Sheriff’s Department caught him about 30 minutes later.
Willard’s grandmother was airlifted to a Charleston hospital for treatment and his grandfather was transported to an area hospital following the incident, the sheriff said. Both have since been released.
The juvenile was unhurt, according to officials.
Willard is being held on $100,000 bond. That bond could be increased when he goes before the circuit judge on the kidnapping charges. Those charges carry the possibility of life in prison and are handled separately, Aliff explained.
— E-mail: mcbrooks@register-herald.com
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Case of man charged with assault on grandparents going before grand jury
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