CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Fayette County attorney was charged Thursday by Charleston police for allegedly playing a role in a shooting New Year’s morning in downtown Charleston.
Police charged Jamison Conrad with being an accessory after malicious wounding. Conrad’s friend, 30-year-old Michael Underwood of Beckley, was charged Wednesday with shooting Charlie Scott in the hallway of the Ramada Inn building near Virginia Street at around 2 a.m. Wednesday. Scott was shot twice and had to undergo surgery.
Police said Conrad, who serves as Fayette County’s mental hygiene commissioner, was seen on video surveillance fleeing the scene with Underwood and removing evidence from the scene, Underwood’s cell phone. He also allegedly refused to identify Underwood while being interviewed by police.
The criminal complaint also alleges Conrad told another witness not to go to police but wait for them to come to him first.
Charleston Mayor Danny Jones said an officer of the court should know better.
“His behavior is kind of shocking,” Jones said. “I’m going to look into filing ethics charges with the (West Virginia) bar. When a person from Fayette County comes to my city and is involved in a shooting like this and coaches the alleged perpetrator.”
Mayor Jones said it was all caught on video.
“He (Underwood) and his lawyer (Conrad), and the women that were with them just left the guy (Scott) there, didn’t call anybody or anything,” according to Mayor Jones.
The mayor also said he believes the surveillance video should be made public.
Police said the fight between Underwood and Scott was over a pizza delivery.
Conrad was arraigned on the charges Thursday afternoon in Fayetteville and released on bond.