http://www.wsaz.com/content/news/Braxton-County-prosecutor-resigns-from-office-416336453.html
http://www.wvgazettemail.com/news-cops-and-courts/20170316/braxton-prosecutor-resigns-over-mishandling-of-sex-abuse-case-
The above-referenced case is such a train wreck. Integrity issue on top of another integrity issue. A complaint of sexual abuse of an 11-year-old girl by an elderly man in July 2013. A horrible accusation for sure, and one that most law enforcement officers and prosecutors take great care in working. Except here. The problem here is the elderly man is county prosecutor's father in law.
Not only failing to tell those involved in the investigation of the family connection to the suspect, the prosecutor took advantage of the deputy sheriff who took the complaint getting investigated in an unrelated issue. Faced with felony charges, this same prosecutor apparently told the deputy to resign or face charges. With the deputy out of the way, the prosecutor quietly continued to ignore the case. The State Police became involved in the sexual abuse investigation. The prosecutor lied to the trooper, saying the case was transferred to another county.
This charade lasted for nearly three yeas before a special prosecutor was requested. The case would have been in bad enough shape with the deputy resigning in disgrace on unrelated issues. But the prosecutor had interactions with the victim as well as the suspect. Undoubtedly, some of this information will be passed on to defense counsel in fighting any future charges against him. As of the date of the stories, the suspect still has not faced charges a year after a special prosecutor was appointed.
What of the victim? Where is her justice? What of potentially other victims? If the suspect is guilty, he has been free to abuse others all this time. What of the citizens of Braxton County? It was bad enough they had one of their deputies resign due to a crime. But now their elected prosecuting attorney is also implicated in misconduct. What other crimes have been covered up during her tenure? Were other criminals have escaped justice? I hope this whole case is just getting started.
Integrity always matters. When you're in public service, it matters even more.
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