Trending
Dear Editor:
I have heard much talk about a candidate, Mr. Mark Cowden, that is running for sheriff of Hancock County, W.Va. To my understanding, Mr. Cowden has been indicted on current federal charges for crimes relating to a violation of civil rights and filing false police reports. These are facts, not rumors or gossip. I have spoken with many people from the community, that are concerned about what will happen if Mr. Cowden is convicted of these federal charges and will he be allowed to hold the office of sheriff. These questions began my search for the answer. I found some interesting facts I believe the citizens of Hancock County should be made aware of.
While checking on the effect of the current charges on Mr. Cowden’s ability to act as sheriff, I found a case called Giglio v. United States, 405 U.S. 150 (1972). It is certainly not a new law – set in place in 1972, and was a United States Supreme Court decision. It requires that a prosecutor must tell defense counsel and the court about acts of witnesses, including officers, which reflect on their credibility and truthfulness. Responding to this requirement, Attorney General Janet Reno, in 1996, established this Giglio policy, which requires federal investigative agencies to report prior misconduct involving the officers in a case that misconduct is “material to the defense” and would damage credibility of an officer-witness. An article from a 2005 issue of a national police chief magazine stated that “These decisions mean that officers who have documented histories of lying in official matters, falsifying reports, or expressing bias may become even greater liabilities to their agencies because their records may render them unable to testify credibly and consequently unable to work effectively as law enforcement officers.” I believe this means that Mr. Cowden’s credibility issues would arise in every case he is involved in.
Mr. Cowden’s prior issues with telling the truth could also impair any case that the Hancock County Prosecutor’s Office, along with State and Federal Prosecutor’s offices, are working on.
We have a heroin epidemic in our community and the surrounding communities as well. A generation of young people are dying daily. Law enforcement has their hands full building cases against these drug dealers. Every piece of information is needed to put them away and save the lives of our youth. Based on Supreme Court decision and case law with Mr. Cowden’s documented history, how could he service as a sheriff? Could he testify in a criminal case? Would he not be a liability to any criminal investigation and how could anyone trust his word?
Mark A. Cooper Sr.
Chester
Democratic Executive
Committee Member