Judge Asked to Dismiss Mingo Magistrate’s Suit

A judge is considering motions to dismiss a lawsuit alleging a Mingo County magistrate was targeted for opposing corruption.

Magistrate Deloris Sidebottom’s lawsuit says former Mingo County Circuit Court Judge Michael Thornsbury, former prosecutor Michael Sparks and former West Virginia State trooper Brandon Moore consipired to force her out of office.

Attorneys for Moore, Sparks and Thornsbury have filed motions seeking the lawsuit’s dismissal.

Kanawha County Circuit Court Judge Charles King conducted the hearing but didn’t rule on the motions.

Thornsbury and Sparks were sentenced earlier this year on federal corruption charges and are serving their sentences.