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WEST VIRGINIA RECORD

Friday, March 29, 2024

Man sues state jail authority for injuries

CHARLESTON -- A man is suing the West Virginia Regional Jail and Correctional Facility Authority after he claims he was injured by a correctional officer.

The correctional officer, Byron Williamson, and an unknown person were also named as defendants in the suit.

In March 2009, Joseph Harper was maliciously wounded, assaulted and battered by Williamson while he was being housed at the Western Regional Jail, according to a complaint filed Feb. 23 in Kanawha Circuit Court.

Harper claims the state jail authority had a duty to properly hire, train, retain and supervise its correctional officers as well as see that inmates were not subjected to cruel and unusual punishment and physical abuse.

The state jail authority negligently failed to supervise and train Williamson and negligently retained his employment, according to the suit.

Harper is seeking compensatory and punitive damages. He is being represented by Michael A. Woelfel.

The case has been assigned to Circuit Judge James C. Stucky.

Kanawha Circuit Court case number: 11-C-300

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