The Athletic Director of West Liberty University and his son want jury trials in a case stemming from post-game revelry at a Charleston hotel.
James Watson, 66, faces charges of obstruction and battery of an officer in the incident from March. He was arrested when police arrived to quell a party at the Embassy Suites Hotel following West Liberty’s winning of the WVIAC Tournament. Police describe the situation as “out of control” and arrested Watson after he allegedly tried to intervene as his son was taken into custody. Watson has a different account of what happened and says police were overzealous when they arrived. He said the party was not out of control.
Brian Watson, 28, was charged with public intoxication, disorderly conduct, fleeing on foot and obstructing an officer, all misdemeanors.
Both appeared in separate hearings Friday in Kanawha County Magistrate Court and requested their cases be transferred to Circuit Court where they’ll stand trial before a jury.