BERKELEY SPRINGS, W.Va. — A Morgan County man could spend the rest of his life in prison after being sentenced for crimes committed during a domestic violence case that included the injuring of a Morgan County sheriff’s deputy.
Melvin Gallion, 40, was sentenced Thursday in Morgan County Circuit Court to 56 1/2 to 125 years in prison after previously being convicted on what happened last July 26 when he shot and injured Morgan County Sheriff’s Deputy Bradley Mechem, killed two dogs, and terrorized a woman with two young children in the home.
Gallion pleaded guilty in March to two counts of attempted first degree murder, malicious assault of a law enforcement officer, another count of malicious assault, burglary, four counts of wanton endangerment involving a firearm, child neglect creating risk of death or serious bodily injury, felon in possession of a firearm, assault during the commission of a felony, use of a firearm during the commission of a felony, two counts of malicious killing of an animal and two counts of destruction of property.
Deputies responded to Spohrs Crossroads area east of Berkeley Springs. A man, later identified as Gallion, was reportedly pounding on the door before eventually kicking it in.
Morgan County Sheriff Johnnie Walter said Gallion was already in the house when the deputies pulled up, but he believes it distracted Gallion enough to give the woman and child inside time to run out of the back of the house.
Gallion began shooting out of a bedroom window using a 12-gauge shotgun loaded with bird shot, then went to the front door of the house and started shooting at deputies.
Deputy Mechem was shot four times, once above his eye and three times in his left hand. His injuries were not life threatening but did require medical treatment.
Gallion has now been convicted of strangulation, domestic battery and destruction of property stemming from the incident.
Judge Deborah McLaughlin granted the state’s request for a maximum sentence.
Morgan County Prosecutor Dan James says in the unlikely event the defendant would be released from incarceration, he would be required to serve 50 years of supervised release and be required to register with the child abuse and neglect registration.
The case was prosecuted by James, investigated by Sergeant Sam Smith of the West Virginia State Police and Deputy Ryan Deal of the Morgan. County Sheriff’s Department.
James extended special thanks to the responding officers from Berkeley County. Morgan County.
Prosecutor James is a scheduled guest Monday on Panhandle Live beginning at 9:05. Panhandle Live can be heard weekday mornings at 9:05 at 93.7 FM and 1340 AM WEPM and 93.5 FM and 1010 AM WCST or streamed online.