Former jail workers plead not guilty in attempted murder case

Three former correctional officers at the Western Regional Jail in Barboursville who allegedly played a role in a plot to kill an inmate pleaded not guilty Friday and were released on $10,000 bond each awaiting trial.

Cabell County Circuit Judge Albert Ferguson arraigned Steven Adkins of Milton, Benjamin Browning of Kermit and Jeffrey Winkler of Chesapeake, Ohio on charges of aiding and abetting attempted murder or being an accessory to attempted murder.

They allegedly, along with fellow correctional officer John Bruhin of Huntington, worked with four inmates to try and kill another inmate.

The alleged target was inmate Zachary Lawson, 19, who has been in jail in connection with alleged sex crimes. He’s scheduled to go on trial in August in Mason County. The indictment doesn’t give details on why Lawson was targeted or what exactly happened to him.

The inmates indicted include Steven Adkins, Jr., James Galloway, James Kenney and Jared Harris. They are charged with attempted murder and conspiracy. They were arraigned previously. All have been moved to different regional jails.

Regional Jail Authority Director Joe DeLong previously said all four of the workers were fired.

Judge Ferguson ordered those arraigned Friday to appear in court again June 4.  Bruhin was not arraigned Friday because of a conflict.