The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

State News

March 11, 2010

Teacher waives preliminary hearing

By Tina Alvey The Register-Herald

Greenbrier County — A school teacher accused of sexually abusing a 17-year-old student waived his right to a preliminary hearing Thursday in Greenbrier County Magistrate Court.

Rader Taze Lafferty, 50, of Asbury, is charged with one count of sexual abuse by a parent, guardian or custodian, which is a felony. If convicted of that charge alone, the Greenbrier West High School teacher faces a prison term of 10 to 20 years, but authorities have not ruled out additional charges.

Greenbrier Prosecutor Pat Via explained that the case is now bound over to circuit court, which usually means evidence will be presented to a grand jury.

“I can’t speculate about the number or the nature of (additional) charges while the investigation is still pending,” Via said after Magistrate Charles Beard accepted Lafferty’s waiver.

Sheriff James J. Childers, whose department is leading the investigation, noted, “We’re making sure we’re leaving no stone uncovered.”

Via confirmed the defendant has not posted bond, which was set by Magistrate Brenda Campbell at $50,000 when Lafferty was arraigned last week.

Public defender Steve Paragamian said he intends to ask a circuit judge to reduce his client’s bond. A hearing date is expected to be set as soon as a motion is filed on the issue.

Lafferty has been confined at Southern Regional Jail since his arrest last Friday.

 

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