Raymond Leo Hohmann III faces charges in superior court in Bryson City in connection to Randall “Shorty” Penland’s 2018 fatality.
By Becky Long
Publisher
The trial involving the 2018 hit and run death of Randall “Shorty,” Penland is expected to wind down on Thursday.
As a result of a plea agreement felony charges against the defendant were reduced to misdemeanors.
During superior court in Swain County, Raymond Leo Hohmann III, pled no contest to misdemeanor death by vehicle and misdemeanor obstruction, confirmed the Clay County Clerk of Court’s office.
He was initially facing felony charges of involuntary manslaughter, hit and run and obstruction for his alleged role in Penland’s death on Nov. 16, 2018.
Penland, 49, was found in the roadway on Highway 64 near Ridgeline Apartments in the wee hours of the morning. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators determined at that time it was a hit and run. Hohmann, 39, had allegedly been driving a 2005 Dodge truck on the day of death.
Penland lived in the Lower Bell Creek community along Highway 175 in Towns County.
The venue for the superior court session had been moved from Clay to Swain County after the defendant’s attorneys requested it and the DAs office agreed.
Sentencing in this case is expected on Thursday. A civil suit in the case is also pending.