KINGWOOD, W.Va. — A hearing for convicted murderer Richard Knotts ended quickly Wednesday after his attorney said they will ask for a new judge.
Knotts, 58, is serving life in prison without the chance of parole. A Preston County jury convicted him of first-degree murder without mercy in 1990 for the killing of Robert Barlow Jr.
Knotts is appealing his conviction based on DNA evidence.
Preston Circuit Judge Steve Shaffer told the attorneys he attended either elementary or junior high with the victim and the victim’s father used to cut his firewood. After consulting with his client, defense attorney Jeremy Cooper said they would file a motion to disqualify Shaffer from the case.
No new hearing date has been set.
Story by Kathy Plum