CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Kanawha County civil jury ruled three State Police troopers did not use excessive force in the 2009 arrest of a Mingo County resident.
Attorney Robert Ryan, who represented the troopers, said after the verdict, “These men and the rest of the men and women, of the West Virginia State Police, go to work every day under dangerous conditions to protect us and when they are accused of things such as this, they deserve to be exonerated in public by a jury, of the citizens of West Virginia.”
James Justice sued Trooper First Class E.B. McClung, Trooper First Class B.K. Wellman and Senior Trooper T.D. Boggs after accusing them of using excessive force when they arrested him on March 15, 2009, in Logan County. Justice was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon, public intoxication, disorderly conduct and obstruction.
A Kanawha County jury returned a verdict in less than 50 minutes Wednesday finding the troopers did not use excessive force when arresting, transporting or processing Justice.