Raymond Leo Hohmann III
Randall “Shorty” Penland was killed in 2018 in what investigators determined was the result of a hit and run on Highway 64 east. Two years later, while charges have been filed, the case remains unresolved.
In the early morning of Nov. 16, 2018, N.C. State Highway Trooper K.D. Hyde was dispatched to the scene where Penland’s body was found on the roadside near Ridgeline Apartments in the Shooting Creek community. According to the initial report, Hyde determined Penland, who lives in Hiawassee, had been involved in a motor vehicle collision, but the vehicle and its driver had left the scene.
Clay County Sheriff’s deputies and investigators assisted troopers during a five-month investigation into circumstances surrounding the death. On April 26, 2019, Hayesville resident, Raymond Leo Hohmann III was charged with involuntary manslaughter, felony hit and run and felony obstruction. His bond was set at $100,000. Hohmann’s case has been continued five times since the initial December 2019 Superior Court session.
It was continued from February to May 2020. Because of the pandemic, courtroom procedures were modified in March. However, in mid October, courts were allowed to resume jury trials. Hohmann’s case was scheduled to be heard at the Nov. 2 session, but it has been continued until Dec. 16 of this year.