Sheriff: Deputies fired after investigation of traffic stop

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – A West Virginia sheriff says two deputies have been fired after an internal investigation of a traffic stop involving two state police troopers and a sheriff’s deputy in which a teenage motorist was seen being beaten.

Berkeley County Sheriff Curtis Keller told The Journal on Wednesday that deputies C.S. Merson and Austin Ennis were terminated as the result of the investigation, but declined to go into details.

Allegations surfaced Nov. 29 when Gov. Jim Justice called for an investigation of two state police troopers following a traffic stop in which he said the troopers were seen on a dashcam video beating a 16-year-old male suspect.

The troopers were suspended without pay, and state police spokesman Reginal Patterson says the agency is still investigating.

Sheriff Keller says the fired deputies have a right to a hearing and one has been requested but not yet scheduled.

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Information from: The Journal, http://journal-news.net/