September 27, 2008
Police officers accused of racially charged beating
One fired, one placed on leave pending investigation
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CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- A Montgomery police officer was fired and another officer was placed on administrative leave Saturday shortly after allegedly beating a black man Friday night.

Twan Reynolds and his wife, Lauren Reynolds, accuse Patrolmen Shawn Hutchison and Matthew Leavitt of repeatedly hitting Twan Reynolds over the head with a blackjack, kicking him in the back and spraying his eyes with mace at close range.

They also say Leavitt repeatedly used a racial epithet against Reynolds, and Lauren Reynolds accused Leavitt of licking her on the neck during an interrogation and saying, "Little whore, you like it like that."

Leavitt denied that he did anything improper. He said Twan Reynolds became violent more than once and had to be subdued.

Montgomery Mayor Jim Higgins said he fired Officer Shawn Hutchinson for insubordination. Higgins explained that Hutchinson was a probationary officer, so he was terminated immediately.

Higgins said he will decide about Officer Matthew Levitt later. Levitt is also facing a charge of insubordination.

"I am still gathering information," Higgins said Saturday.

The Mayor said Montgomery Chief of Police Pete Lopez is investigating the allegations that the officers were abusive to a Montgomery husband and wife.

Higgins also explained that he is not able to comment on the allegations against the officers because he is also the town's municipal judge. He said he expects the case to come before him in municipal court.

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Posted By: Anonymous (1:44pm 10-07-2008)
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I'm sure Lopez looks into the complaints and I'm sure sometimes they are legit but you know not every complaint is real. Some are because criminals just don't want anyone including a police officer telling them what to do.

Posted By: Anonymous (10:09am 10-06-2008)
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yea right like they didn't do anything wrong ha ha ha give us people in our town a break. they have been several complant on these to officers levette and huchinson these complaints have been told to cheif lopez but nothing is was never done, like always he cover thier tracks.

Posted By: Anonymous (9:08pm 10-05-2008)
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I wonder if some of you that are posting on here will when this case is said and done will comment and say "wow they really didnt do anything wrong"

Posted By: Anonymous (7:43pm 10-05-2008)
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And yeah, this thread has gone on WAY too long. Lately it has drifted way off topic.

But from the looks of it, the deeply embedded stain of racism in this area seems to have kept it going. It's really very disturbing.

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