Judge rejects pathological intoxication theory

A Charleston man was sentenced Wednesday afternoon to spend the rest of his life in prison after killing a 90-year-old Kanawha City man in January.

Anthony Caldwell, 39, asked Kanawha County Circuit Judge Jennifer Bailey to grant him mercy in the case so he would have a chance for parole in 15 years. He pleaded guilty in July to first degree murder.

Caldwell’s attorney claimed Wednesday his client may have suffered from pathological intoxication for a brief period of time when he attacked Molle, a man he knew. Judge Bailey concluded all of the injuries that Molle suffered couldn’t have been committed in less than a minute.


Caldwell killed Molle over a few coins in a tin can. He told police he was desperate for money to pay bills. Caldwell had previously done yard work for Molle.