| There was no videotaping of an undercover sting in which a Kanawha
County man was shot and killed, according to Wood County Prosecutor
Ginny Conley.
The prosecutor's office responded to an FOIA request by The Herald
regarding taping of the sting.
Bryan Causey was shot on December 18 when he reportedly fled the scene
and aimed his truck at officers, after driving the vehicle in a ditch.
Officers said Causey, who was not using a gun, tried to run them down.
The Prosecuting Attorney's office told The Hur Herald there may have been
an audio tape connected to conversation with Lucy Rhodes, Causey's
girlfriend, but apparently no recording was made with Causey.
The prosecutor's office said ten area law enforcement officers, some of
which were Task Force members, participated in the sting operation near
Williamstown not far from the Wood County Airport.
After the West Virginia State Police said last week they will be using more
video cameras in cruisers to record what happens during regular traffic
stops, The Hur Herald requested information about video taping of the
high-profile Wood County sting.
Law enforcement agencies said in most cases such a sting would be
recorded to validate a sequence of events, provide evidence and protect
officers of unnecessary allegations.
Larue Causey, father of the deceased, said he does not understand why
officers did not attempt to shoot out the tires of the vehicle or why a shot
was not fired simply to disable his son.
He said I want to know "Why was he killed?"
The elder Causey has said he may file a civil suit in the matter, depending
on the outcome of the investigation.
The Wood County Sheriff's Office policy on the use of deadly force states
"an officer may use deadly force to protect himself or others from what he
reasonably believes to be an immediate threat of death or serious bodily
injury."
The policy also says a gun should not be fired at a moving vehicle except in
"the ultimate measure of self defense or defense of another when the
suspect is using deadly force."
Officers are saying the truck driven by Causey was "deadly
force."
| 
