HINTON, W.Va. — A Summers County man charged with sexually assaulting and strangling more than half a dozen women will appear in court again in the new year.
Summers County Circuit Judge Robert Irons scheduled another status hearing for Jan. 24, 2024 at 10 a.m. for Matthew Keaton, 31, of Pipestem, who is currently being held without bond in the Southern Regional Jail.
Keaton appeared virtually for a status hearing Wednesday morning where his attorneys Troy Giatris and Derrick Lefler asked the judge to reinstate his bond and place him on home confinement. Judge Irons deferred action on that request after receiving a letter Wednesday from a home confinement official that explained why Keaton was unfit for the program.
Keaton was indicted by a Summers County grand jury in 2022 on sexual assault and strangulation charges. He also faces similar charges in Mercer County.
Summers County Prosecutor Kristin Cook said there are about 8-9 victims total, including a child, who have digital evidence of Keaton’s alleged assaults.
“There’s one victim who has 100 images and all of the images are of the defendant pulling the victim’s mouth open or pulling the eyes open and it’s in sequential order in the sense of it looks like the eyes are a little shut and then they’re more open, more open, more open almost like you hit the picture button repeatedly and quickly,” Cook explained to the judge.
State Police previously told MetroNews when Keaton was arrested in Oct. 2021 the women were drugged and violently raped while being recorded.
The accusations date back to when Keaton was 18 years old. All of the victims knew Keaton and were different ages, police said.
“Some were approximately 10 years younger than he was,” Trooper First Class J.C. Woods of the Hinton State Police Detachment told MetroNews in 2021. “Some were girlfriends that got away or one-night stands.”
Keaton had no prior criminal history before his arrest but Cook said he’s had further write ups while at the Southern Regional Jail including illegal possession of weapons and drugs. Cook said Keaton posted bond but then violated it by creating 4-5 different social media accounts.
“His bond was violated because he doesn’t follow the rules,” Cook told the judge. “At this point, the state has absolutely no indication whatsoever that Mr. Keaton can comply with any conditions of bond.”
Lefler argued his client was never provided a written order that said he cannot have social media.
“The testimony from home confinement before was that they forget to give him the document. There was apparently some oral command that he not have social media, which frankly your honor, is an unconstitutional prohibition,” Lefler said.
Given the lengthy process of all the digital evidence to be considered in the case, Lefler said Keaton would be better suited as his grandmother’s vacant house without internet access in Summers County on home confinement.
“This is a test that is going to require significant participation and input from Mr. Keaton. The realistic prospect of doing that at the Southern Regional Jail is untenable,” he said.
Cook said given the home confinement officer’s letter and the state’s position regarding the number of victims and severity of the charges, it’s best that Keaton remains behind bars.
“I have to protect the public and when I have someone who doesn’t follow the rules, that’s not protecting the public,” she said.