TROOPER FACES SUIT OVER FALSE TESTIMONY - Civil Case Says No Evidence Found

(02/22/2003)

A civil suit has been filed against former Calhoun State Trooper Doug Starcher, by Chloe resident Kelley Mace. The suit, filed in Kanawha County, is asking for $50,000 in compensatory and $200,000 in punitive damages. Starcher is currently stationed in Spencer. A criminal investigation into the matter is still underway, after it was requested by Prosecuting Attorney Tony Morgan. The suit says that Starcher's testimony before a Calhoun Grand Jury and Calhoun Circuit Court was false. Starcher testified he or the West Virginia State Police possessed methamphetamine confiscated from the Mace residence, but no evidence of an illegal drug was ever produced. The case resulted from what the Grantsville State Police described as a "million dollar drug" ring,in which several hundreds of stolen guns were involved. No such evidence was found. The Mace case continued in the court system until it was dismissed by Prosecutor Tony Morgan. Mace contends she has suffered mental anguish, emotional distress, public embarrassment and loss of reputation as a result of her wrongful arrest, indictment and court proceeding.

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