Calif. man to face WV extortion trial in Feb. - WBOY.com: Clarksburg, Morgantown: News, Sports, Weather

Calif. man to face WV extortion trial in Feb.

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  • Thursday, May 23 2013 10:19 AM EDT2013-05-23 14:19:24 GMT
    Energize West Virginia and America's Natural Gas Alliance hosted a town hall meeting in Buckhannon on Wednesday evening to share information about the natural gas industry.
    Energize West Virginia and America's Natural Gas Alliance hosted a town hall meeting in Buckhannon on Wednesday evening to share information about the natural gas industry.
  • Thursday, May 23 2013 3:47 AM EDT2013-05-23 07:47:50 GMT
    Scattered showers and storms still possible tonight into Thursday as a cold front slowly makes it's way over West Virginia.  Some of the storms this evening could be strong.  Lows tonight drop into the
    Who'll Stop the Rain?
  • Thursday, May 23 2013 12:17 AM EDT2013-05-23 04:17:00 GMT
    Residents are worried about above-ground sewer lines that were exposed, where sewage was being dropped directly into a nearby creek.
    Residents are worried about above-ground sewer lines that were exposed, where sewage was being dropped directly into a nearby creek.

BECKLEY (AP) — A California man accused of trying to extort $13 million from a West Virginia coal executive should now stand trial in February.

A judge last week granted Vivek Shah's motion to fire his attorney and his new public defender's motion to postpone the trial.

U.S. District Judge Irene Berger is set to hear the case Feb. 25 in Beckley.

Records in the case are sealed. But the docket report shows the 25-year-old aspiring actor from West Hollywood wanted to relieve Charleston attorney Troy Giatras.

He's now represented by Mary Lou Newberger.

Shah was indicted in August on charges he threatened to kill relatives of Foresight Reserves owner Christopher Cline if Cline refused to pay him.

Shah allegedly targeted four other wealthy, unidentified victims in Connecticut, Texas, Florida and Illinois.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

 

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.