Wise County Man Pleads Guilty By Two Way Electronic Conferencing

A Coeburn Virginia man sentenced for multiple charges is the first in Wise County to enter a guilty plea and sentenced by two way electronic audio/video conferencing. 38 year old Antwain Timothy James Hale was given a nine year, and six month prison sentence for multiple charges including strangulation, assault and battery, obstruction of justice, intoxicated in public and possession of methamphetamine. Hale’s case is the first online plea and sentencing hearing. While the legal system has put most criminal cases on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Wise County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office has worked diligently during the past month to step up electronic services,including the ability for incarcerated defendants to enter guilty pleas and be sentenced by two way electronic audio/video conferencing. Hale had seven years and four months of his sentence suspended.