WOOD COUNTY, W.Va. –The sentencing hearing for a West Virginia woman recently convicted of killing her boyfriend in 2025 was delayed Friday after defense attorneys requested a new trial, arguing there were concerns about a juror’s honesty.
Barbara Cupp, 33, was set to sentenced Friday afternoon, however defense attorney George Cosenza filed a motion for a new trial. Cosenza said they discovered that one of the jurors didn’t fully disclose their knowledge of Cupp and her family.
Cupp was found guilty of second-degree murder for the shooting death of her boyfriend Matthew Bills. Bills was found dead on March 15, 2025, at his Williamstown residence on Maple Drive
Prior to the trial, the jury was asked if anyone had knowledge of the defendant. The juror in question did disclose he had gone to school with Cupp, but that was the extent of their relationship.
However, Friday the juror admitted in court that he had a sexual relationship with Cupp’s mother for almost a year over 20 years ago. He also admitted that he was present at parties that Cupp and her brother attended.
The prosecutors argued against a new trial, saying that more than two decades had passed since the juror had ties with Cupp’s family and that there was no prejudice was found in the juror’s ability to remain on the jury.
Cosenza stated that neither the defense nor the prosecution knew about the alleged deception during the trial.
The defense now has until July to submit a written brief why the new trial is warranted, and until the sentencing has been postponed.