Hardy

PHILIPPI — A Barbour County man received the maximum sentence for arson after burning down a home while children and other family members were inside in 2023.

Brian Joseph Hardy, 28, of Moatsville, was sentenced on Tuesday by Barbour County Circuit Court Judge Thomas B. Hoxie to 20 years in the West Virginia penitentiary.

On Aug. 27, Hardy entered into an Alford plea to one count of first-degree arson. An Alford plea, also known as a Kennedy plea, means Hardy did not have to admit to the criminal act and could assert his innocence, but he still accepted the imposition of a sentence.

Hardy was initially indicted by the Barbour County Grand Jury in June 2024 on one count of first-degree arson, eight counts of attempted murder, two counts of cruelty to animals, and causing injuries during an arson-related crime.

In court on Tuesday, Hardy was represented by attorneys Gregory Michael and co-counsel Jamella Lockwood. Barbour County Prosecuting Attorney Andrew Phillips and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Kelsey J. Gross represented the state.