Visiting Judge Jack Alsop presided over a hearing in Pocahontas County Circuit Court Tuesday, August 28, according to Circuit Clerk Connie Carr.

Alsop released former Marlinton Treasurer Linda McLaughlin from home confinement. McLaughlin was convicted of multiple counts of falsifying accounts and one count of embezzlement in 2007. Defense attorney Eugene Simmons told Alsop that McLaughlin had been doing well at her job, and could use her home confinement fees of $150 a month to begin to pay restitution to the town. The judge ordered McLaughlin to pay $300 a month to the town beginning October 1, and complete 40 hours community service.