7/21/2009
The Pennsylvania man charged in the April 27 shooting death of Lewis County hunter Shawn Stewart has been arraigned in the circuit court of Lewis County and will face trial beginning October 30.
After a non-stop investigation by West Virginia Division of Natural Resources conservation officers and the Weston Detachment of the West Virginia State Police, Robert L. Tobias, 59, of Millersburg, Pa., was identified as a suspect in the case. Tobias was indicted by the Lewis County Grand Jury on July 14 on charges of wanton endangerment, negligent shooting, failure to render aid, and involuntary manslaughter. Lewis County Conservation Officer Mike Spangler and State Police Cpl. D.L. Cayton appeared before the grand jury and offered testimony that led grand jurors to determine that there was enough evidence to try Tobias in connection with Stewart’s death.
Tobias was arraigned on the charges July 17 and was released after posting $30,000 cash bond and a $20,000 personal recognizance bond on the charges. A trial date of October 30 has been set before Lewis County Circuit Judge Thomas Keadle. A special prosecutor from Kanawha County will be assigned to present the state’s evidence in the case.
Contact Information
Lt. Col. Jerry Jenkins
304-558-2784
law@wvdnr.gov