Stevens said the investigation is still on-going as he speaks with witnesses who say they saw members of the West Virginia State Police, the Mingo County Sheriff’s Department and Williamson City Police take part in beating Calvin Wilkerson while he was being attacked by the state police trained dog.
Close to 20 witnesses have come forward with information for Stevens with one witness alleging the officers were laughing while the attack took place.
“I will proceed to whatever the outcome will be,” Stevens said.
The NAACP recommended Huntington attorney David Perry to Wilkerson’s mother, Crystal Wilkerson. Perry told the Daily News he has been contacted by the family, but has not yet taken the case.
“If what I am hearing is even partially true there should be a full investigation at local and state levels and even federal,” Perry said.
Perry chastised Sheriff Lonnie Hannah for his statement supporting the deputies said to be in-volved.
“I would like to speak with Lonnie Hannah and say he shouldn’t blatantly support his deputies without a full investigation,” Perry stated. “We will investigate this case to the fullest.”
Wilkerson was declared mentally incompetent Jan. 12, prior to the altercation in question.
When Wilkerson decided he wanted to leave with his mother, deputy Chris Haynes called for back-up. Patrolman John Hall arrived and a struggle followed. The state police say they had no idea Wilkerson had been declared mentally incompetent when they were called to the scene to assist. Wilkerson was taken to the state police Williamson detachment because they say Haynes needed help filing charges. All charges were dropped the following day.
As Wilkerson was being processed at the state police building, the complaint states he somehow slipped through his handcuffs and allegedly assaulted Harper and Kuhn while exiting the building and fleeing on foot. Officers then released the trained police dog, which they say Wilkerson dragged with him while being attacked. Police say Wilkerson struggled the entire time he was being restrained.
However, one witness who asked to remain anonymous, said he drove upon the scene and saw the commotion he thought it was a training session for the officers and the dog – until he heard screams. When he heard the man screaming and saw him writhing on the ground as officers kicked him and the dog bit him, he said he realized it was real but said he still found it hard to believe it was happening.
Another witness said Wilkerson was actually attacked twice by the police dog. The first time was allegedly when the officers first arrived at the detachment with him. The witness said Wilkerson was tripped when taken out of the cruiser and the dog was turned loose. He said the police hit and kicked Wilkerson while the dog attacked.
Later, the witness said he watched as Wilkerson exited the back of the detachment. He said Wil-kerson wore no restraints but could not run. He alleges the officers once again turned the dog loose and kicked and hit Wilkerson.
Police deny the accusations. One officer said the accused was combative the entire time and assaulted several officers.
Calvin was taken to Williamson Memorial Hospital where he received several stitches for dog bites. Crystal Wilkerson said she was told by a member of the hospital staff that police had told them to not take any pictures of the wounds. WMH refused to comment, however, no pictures were taken of the wounds by the hospital.
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