CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Harrison County Magistrate Mark Gorby had his trial scheduled Wednesday for Nov. 9 after pleading innocent to five counts of sexual abuse by a person in position of trust.
Gorby, who was indicted on May 7, told Senior Judge Thomas W. Steptoe Jr. that he’d be willing to waive his right to a speedy trial. If convicted, the 60-year-old Bridgeport native faces 50 to 100 years in prison. Because his accuser was a female juvenile at the time (under the age of 16), he would have to register as a sex offender.
Steptoe set the final pretrial conference for Oct. 26. Gorby was accompanied to the hearing by his wife and multiple supporters
Since his arrest last October, Gorby has been suspended without pay. He began serving in 1997 and was re-elected in 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2012 to his current four-year term.
He remains free on $100,000 bond.