Company Official convicted in W.Va. mine disaster that killed 29

[n2doc]

updated 1 hour 39 minutes ago

BECKLEY, W.Va. — The former head of security at a West Virginia mine was convicted Wednesday of impeding the investigation into a 2010 explosion that killed 29 men.


A federal jury in Beckley found 60-year-old Hughie Elbert Stover guilty of lying to investigators and disposing of thousands of security-related documents following the explosion. He was the first person criminally prosecuted in the worst U.S. coal mining disaster in decades.

The jury began deliberating Wednesday morning after hearing two days of testimony in which prosecutors painted Stover as an obstructionist and defense attorneys claimed he was a scapegoat.

He remains free pending a Feb. 29 sentencing hearing.

Prosecutors told jurors during closing arguments Wednesday that Stover misled investigators following the disaster and then sought to throw out thousands of security-related records, perhaps to protect himself.


more
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45053457/ns/us_news-crime_and_courts/#.TqijI2Bxudw

[MADem]

1. Wow, a little slice of justice!!!! That was relatively swift. nt

[begin_within]

2. He murdered 29 people and he remains free?

[Staph]

5. He's not the murderer.

He works for the murderers. Stover is the one who carried out the cover-up. With luck, the prosecutor will turn him before sentencing at the end of February and get him to testify against the Massey bosses.

[immoderate]

3. I smell witness protection...

This is just the first. He is free because he agreed to testify. (IMO)

--imm

[underpants]

4. WHAT COMPANY??? oh it is Massey - Fox News radio also didn't mention that it was Massey

this article is almost over before "Massey" shows up

[malaise]

8. Massey should be in prison

:puke:

[TBMASE]

6. Good...and I like the date he's to be sentenced

The 29 will get their justice

[malaise]

7. Great news!

Phew-at last! :applause: