Daugherty making progress in rehab

HUNTINGTON -- Former magisterial candidate Amy Walker Daugherty is making progress in a drug rehabilitation program, according to defense attorney David Lockwood.

His client faces felony bribery and crack cocaine trafficking charges stemming from an Oct. 21 arrest in Huntington.

The arrest occurred two weeks before the Nov. 4 general election and derailed Daugherty's candidacy for Cabell County magistrate. The leading vote-getter in the May primary election plummeted to last place six months later, according to unofficial vote tallies from last week's election.

Daugherty was scheduled to appear at a preliminary hearing Monday, but the proceeding was postponed at Lockwood's request. He told the court his side needs more time to locate a witness whom he would not describe. The presiding magistrate granted the delay Saturday.

Lockwood spoke about his client's progress in drug treatment.

"Under the circumstances she is doing fine," he said. "We're pleased with her attitude. Her attitude about getting corrected and getting help is excellent."

Criminal complaints charge that Daugherty admitted to trafficking crack cocaine on six occasions. She then offered a sergeant from the Huntington Police Department money in return for her release.

"This really isn't the Amy Daugherty that I've known for 35 years. It's just not the same person," Lockwood said.

Daugherty's 10th-place finish placed her behind six Democrats and three Republicans, according to unofficial vote totals. She was the only candidate who failed to garner more than 10,000 votes. About 70 percent of her 9,296-vote tally came from 6,491 straight-party ballots. It also included five days of early voting before Daugherty's arrest.