Courthouse Renovations

The Randolph County Circuit Courtroom received some needed audio improvements this summer with funds from the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia.

Randolph County Circuit Judge Jaymie Godwin Wilfong told The [Elkins] Inter-Mountain that when the courtroom was renovated, tiles that had covered the dome were removed and the dome was restored.

"But an unfortunate side effect was the echo in the courtroom and the escape of sound waves to the dome made conversation and hearing extremely difficult," Judge Wilfong told the newspaper.

In June, acoustical, dampening panels were added to the courtroom walls to help decrease the amount of reverberations sound inside the room.

The $12,000 cost of the sound improvements were paid for by the Supreme Court.

The second-floor courtroom in the historic Marion County Courthouse is bright with natural light again.

Judge David R. Janes told the [Fairmont ] Times West-Virginian that about forty years ago, acoustical paneling was put up around the courtroom, including in front of three large windows that face the courthouse annex.

Recently, the paneling was removed as part of a renovation project going on in Judge Janes' courtroom.

During the week of July 6, the courtroom was in use again, with light from the three large windows shining in.

In addition to the window views, there is also refinished woodwork, a new ceiling, new paint, and new carpet.

Judge Janes told the newspaper the renovations are not completed. An ongoing project will be to refinish or replace the courtroom pews to be darker and match the rest of the refinished wood in the courtroom.

The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia paid for a new sound system in the courtroom, and some other technology, such as projectors and computer ports. The  county has picked up the bulk of the renovations cost through the coal severance fund.

 
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