Post by Critique on Jan 5, 2007 19:24:53 GMT -5
Ex-police chief wants new trial on sex charges
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. (AP) - A former Gauley Bridge police chief convicted of sexually assaulting and abusing three boys is seeking a new trial.
Lee Jones' lawyer told a Fayette County judge Thursday that two witnesses in his 1999 trial have since recanted their testimony. Charleston lawyer Tom Smith said the witnesses now say a State Police investigator and special prosecutor told them what to say on the stand.
The prosecutor, Kristen Keller, and the officer, Captain Scott Van Meter, both denied the allegation. Keller told Judge John Hatcher that she would never tell a witness what to say. Van Meter said he had no agenda against Jones because he didn't know Jones before he was assigned to the case.
Hatcher didn't make an immediate ruling.
Jones is serving a 49-to-115 years sentence after being convicted of 54 felony counts.
www.woay.com/news.cfm?showarticle=E532E688-F1EB-45F0-9FFA9E9BD77078CB
FAYETTEVILLE, W.Va. (AP) - A former Gauley Bridge police chief convicted of sexually assaulting and abusing three boys is seeking a new trial.
Lee Jones' lawyer told a Fayette County judge Thursday that two witnesses in his 1999 trial have since recanted their testimony. Charleston lawyer Tom Smith said the witnesses now say a State Police investigator and special prosecutor told them what to say on the stand.
The prosecutor, Kristen Keller, and the officer, Captain Scott Van Meter, both denied the allegation. Keller told Judge John Hatcher that she would never tell a witness what to say. Van Meter said he had no agenda against Jones because he didn't know Jones before he was assigned to the case.
Hatcher didn't make an immediate ruling.
Jones is serving a 49-to-115 years sentence after being convicted of 54 felony counts.
www.woay.com/news.cfm?showarticle=E532E688-F1EB-45F0-9FFA9E9BD77078CB