MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Monongalia County prosecutors have quickly indicted WVU Sports Hall of Fame member and WVU Football assistant running backs coach Noel Devine on criminal charges including strangulation.
Devine, 38, was arrested last week after he allegedly choked his live-in girlfriend outside a Morgantown sports bar hours after WVU’s Sept. 12 win over UT Martin.
Normally, criminal cases are scheduled for a preliminary hearing in magistrate’s court within 10 days of the arrest but Monongalia County prosecutors decided to take Devine’s case straight to the grand jury which was already scheduled to meet late last week. Devine was indicted on Friday.
The charges in the indictment include strangulation, domestic battery, unlawful restraint and stalking.
The original criminal complaint said Monongalia County sheriff’s deputies used information obtained from video surveillance in their investigation.
Devine, who was placed on leave by WVU football coach Rich Rodriguez after his arrest, remains on free $40,000. He’s scheduled to be arraigned Wednesday before Monongalia Circuit Judge Cindy Scott where a trial date will be set.
The criminal complaint said Devine asked the alleged victim to come out to the parking lot of Kegler’s and when she didn’t respond fast enough he went inside to get her.
Surveillance shows the two leaving the bar and walking to Devine’s vehicle, the criminal complaint said. The video shows Devine pushing the victim against the car, opening the back door and pushing her in.
The victim said Devine then jumped on top of her choking her and slapping her face. When their friends came outside and heard screaming the victim was able to escape.
The alleged victim initially declined medical treatment and showed no visible signs of injury, according to police. She then reported to J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital the next day later with symptoms consistent with strangulation, according to the criminal complaint.
When Devine used the cell phone location app to track her to the hospital where staff alerted police. Devine was taken into custody at a gas station near the hospital around 12:45 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13.
Police said the victim said Devine had followed her in the past and said Devine admitted to being jealous of her everyday activities. The victim also said Devine had threatened to kill her in the past, the complaint said.
Devine is represented by Morgantown-based Lewis Gianola law firm. His attorney Dave Jecklin has released a statement:
“Recognizing the seriousness of the charge and with the utmost respect for the wellbeing and privacy of all those involved and the judicial process, until both ours and the State of West Virginia’s investigation is completed, we will not be commenting at this time.”