Jefferson County sheriff facing civil rights charges resigns - WOWK 13 Charleston, Huntington WV News, Weather, Sports

Jefferson County sheriff facing civil rights charges resigns

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CHARLES TOWN (AP) -

An Eastern Panhandle sheriff facing civil rights charges has resigned.

Jefferson County Commissioner Patsy Noland told media outlets that Sheriff Robert E. Shirley gave her a handwritten resignation letter Friday evening.

Shirley is accused of beating a bank robbery suspect in December 2010.

He pleaded not guilty last June following his indictment.

Court documents show that a change of plea hearing is set for Monday before a federal magistrate in Martinsburg.

According to court documents, Shirley agreed to take a leave of absence and be placed on home detention while the case is pending.

Shirley's lawyer, Kevin D. Mills, told The Herald-Mail of Hagerstown, Md., that recently disclosed evidence compelled his client to reassess his decision to contest the charges. He said he couldn't comment further.

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