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 case involving circumstances surrounding the 2018 hit and run death of Randall “Shorty” Penland got underway in Bryson City on Monday. Legal meetings and motions appeared to make up the first few days of court.
The trial revolves around charges filed April 26, 2019 against Raymond Leo Hohmann III, 39, of Hayesville. Those charges are involuntary manslaughter, felony hit and run and felony obstruction in connection to Penland’s death in the wee hours of Nov. 16, 2018.
Penland, 49, was found in the eastbound lane of the roadway on Highway 64 near Ridgeline Apartments after a caller reported finding him around 2:30 a.m. He was pronounced dead at the scene, according to earlier reports.
Penland lived in the Lower Bell Creek section of Towns County, Ga., less than 10 miles from where his body was discovered.
The N.C. Highway Patrol report determined Penland had been involved in a motor vehicle collision, but the vehicle left the scene. Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators assisted highway patrol in the investigation.
Hohmann had allegedly been with Penland and another man in a 2005 Dodge truck on the evening of the hit and run. The third man has not been charged.
On Monday, citing lack of probable cause, defense made a motion to suppress forensics information obtained from the truck Hohmann had allegedly been driving, but it was denied. Another motion to suppress a video interview with Hohmann conducted by a sheriff’s office investigator was also denied by Judge Pete Knight, confirmed the Clay County Clerk of Court’s office.
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. The consent agreement meant Clay County had to help staff court in addition to sending any officer involved in the investigation, which meant providing the jury officer and bailiff. Clay County Clerk of Court staff were also on hand for the proceedings.
Jury selection was expected to begin Wednesday.