News
June 11, 2008
Police chief reviews illegal hunting case
Two officers pleaded no contest in deal
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Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster said Tuesday he is reviewing the case of two police officers who were fined in Putnam County for illegally shooting a deer.

On Monday, Patrolman Conrad M. Carpenter and Cpl. James E. White Jr. both entered into plea agreements in Putnam Magistrate Court for charges related to an incident near Liberty last December.

"I'm going to take the results of the criminal investigation and the results of the internal investigation and make some decisions [about discipline]," Webster said. He said he would make a recommendation "in the very near future."

Carpenter pleaded no contest to illegal possession of wildlife, shooting within 500 feet of a building, and hunting from an automobile. He must pay nearly $1,600 in fines and court costs.

White pleaded no contest to illegal possession of animal parts. He will pay $460 in fines and court costs.

Both men were originally charged with spotlighting, hunting from an automobile, shooting within 500 feet of a dwelling, possession of wildlife parts and conspiracy. Spotlighting carries an automatic jail or home confinement sentence.

According to a criminal complaint by Cpl. Gary Amick of the state's Department of Natural Resources, the off-duty Charleston officers were driving on W.Va. 34 near Liberty when they spotted three deer crossing the road. One appeared to be injured.

Carpenter told White to stop so he could shoot the injured animal, the complaint states. Then, White allegedly spotlighted the deer so Carpenter could shoot it within a .40-caliber gun.

Neighbors witnessed the shooting and reported it to Amick, who traced the license number of the car to White, according to the complaint.

On Tuesday, Amick said he was disappointed that some charges were dropped, but said, "That's not my call to make."

"A lot of spotlighting takes place on private property next to house, next to barns, with a lot of livestock involved," he said. "It's a danger really to anyone out there, not just to the animal."

He said it was difficult to investigate two law enforcement officers.

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Posted By: lovetheCPD (11:44pm 06-13-2008)
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I think its great that these cops got charged with something atleast.I assumed that this would be swept under the rug and simply forgotton about; atleast they have to pay something. The corrupt charleston police department needs shaken up a little so it can loose the "John Wayne" attitude amongst its even most senior officers. 2 down.....1 to go. Let's hear it for Officer Peoples next up.

Posted By: geez (1:19pm 06-11-2008)
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Most off-duty officers would call the DNR or Metro to begin with. Then an ON-DUTY officer WHO HAS BEEN ORDERED TO THE SCENE will shoot the injured animal. If they indeed came upon this "injured" deer, why didnt they just do the right thing and call metro 911? That way, the deer they were so concerned about is put down in a legal manner and no questions are asked. I hope everyone learned a good lesson from this.

Posted By: cpdret22 (9:26am 06-11-2008)
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Yeah, thats what I'd want, a bunch of know nothings investigating me too, do you get shiny badges? Oh boy!!!!!

Posted By: rickfromwv (8:34am 06-11-2008)
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In this case, as much as everyone tried not to show favortism, it was. Constantly, the titles of the "officiers" was used. If it was an ordinary citizen, the person's title or occupation would have not been used. I agree with the DNR officier, it is difficult to investigate a fellow officier, this is why when police officiers are involved, a citizen group should investigate.

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