MOUNDSVILLE, W.Va. (AP) - A New Martinsville man has yet to stand trial on December 2010 sexual assault and kidnapping charges.
Friday, 46-year-old John Michael Howell appeared in court in Marshall County in hopes of being assigned new counsel, according to the Intelligencer-News Register.
Howell has pleaded innocent to charges that stem from an incident in Wetzel County. He is accused of stabbing his former wife with a syringe and punching her genitals when she attempted to leave his home with their child.
Howell also asked the judge to issue bond for his release. The judge said he would look into the request.
The case was moved to Marshall County one year ago after Howell spat on a prosecutor during a court proceeding. In previous court appearances, Howell has worn a spit guard.