| A Glenville town policemen has been charged with attempted second-degree murder
during a session of the Gilmer County Grand Jury this week, after he shot at
20-year-old Kevin Tingler following a high-speed chase.
Patrolman Michael Lee Kendall has been indicated on nine felony counts and one
misdemeanor charge after he chased Tingler down Route 5 toward Grantsville at
speeds reaching 100-mile-per-hour.
The officer fired his service revolver through the driver's side door, claiming Tingler
was trying to run him down.
The patrolman reportedly rammed Tingler's vehicle near Two-Run Hill not far from
Tanner on March 7th, after the officer said he smelled alcohol on his breath.
Glenville Mayor R. Wayne Richmond told the Herald yesterday the officer was
suspended without pay last week and his case will be discussed in executive
session during a Glenville council meeting Monday.
Patrolman Kendall reportedly said he had been cleared by his superiors.
The Clarksburg Exponent said Kendall, a graduate of the West Virginia Police
Academy, had resigned from the Clarksburg Police Department amid dismissal
proceedings, before he was hired last year in Glenville.
Reports were circulating in Glenville that residents had been complaining about
the behavior of the officer. Mayor Richmond told The Herald "We get complaints
about almost every officer," indicating it goes with the job.
In Patrolman Kendall's case, the mayor said "No one came forward to make it
official."
Patrolman Kendall's police report said he was accompanied by Weston city
policeman Jacob Dennison. After the high-speed chase, the two officer's lost sight
of Tingler after the shooting incident, but apparently proceeded through a section of
Ritchie County to the Tingler residence near the Ritchie-Gilmer County line.
The indictment reportedly says Patrolman Kendall forcibly entered the Tingler
residence, while Patrolman Dennison circled around the dwelling in case the
suspect attempted to leave. He was not at the residence.
The indictment reportedly states Kendall drew his gun on three occupants in the
Tingler household, resulting in three counts of wanton endangerment and three
counts of kidnapping.
Mrs. Kim Tingler, mother of Kevin Tingler, told the Herald "I am really concerned
about the behavior of these officers," indicating the public should also be
concerned.
Glenville Mayor Richmond said Weston officer Dennison was involved in a "ride
along" program, not as an officer, but as a citizen. No charges have been filed against
him.
Patrolman Kendall has filed ethics charges against Gilmer Magistrate Bob Minigh
because he would not issue warrants to him for Tingler, charging him with assault
and fleeing in a vehicle.
Minigh did issue warrants to the Gilmer County Sheriff's Department for Tingler,
because a source said Patrolman Kendall admitted to a shooting, among other
concerns.
Magistrate Minigh nor Gilmer County Prosecutor Gerry Hough would comment on the
case.
The incident was investigated by the Gilmer County Sheriff's Department.
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