Associated Press Published

Suspended W.Va. Justice Wants Federal Convictions Overturned

Allen Loughry

A suspended West Virginia Supreme Court justice who was convicted of 11 federal criminal charges has requested a new trial.

News outlets reported Allen Loughry filed the request last week in a motion that was sealed. Prosecutors acknowledged his request in a brief this week asking for time to file a full response. Because Loughry’s motion is sealed, it’s not clear why he believes he deserves a new trial.

A federal jury convicted Loughry on Oct. 12 of charges including wire fraud involving his personal use of state cars and fuel cards and mail fraud.

Loughry’s attorney, John Carr, declined to comment.

Meanwhile, sentencing was delayed until Jan. 30 for retired Supreme Court Justice Menis Ketchum, who pleaded guilty in August to a fraud count related to his personal use of a state vehicle and gas fuel card.