CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — One of the three Harrison County residents accused of beating a man into an unresponsive state has waived his preliminary hearing.
The motion was one of two filed on behalf of Zachary Davan Hilliard, 21, of Clarksburg, during a Friday morning hearing in Harrison County Magistrate Court.
The defense also filed a motion to have his bond –currently set at $150,000– reduced, arguing that he was not a flight risk.
However, the state countered that due to the severity of the crime, the bond was appropriate.
Magistrate Nancy Means agreed with the state and denied the motion.
Zachary Hilliard, along with Terrance Hilliard, 21, and Kelsi Riddle, 19, are accused of beating their victim while robbing him of his cell phone on August 19 in Clarksburg.
Dustin Baldwin, 29, was found on the front porch of his grandmother’s home unconscious and was eventually transported to Ruby Memorial Hospital where his condition is still considered to be critical.
All three are charged with malicious wounding, conspiracy and first degree robbery –which carries a sentence of up to life in prison.
Hearings for the other two suspects are scheduled on Tuesday in Harrison County Magistrate Court.