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Subscribe] FinalCall.com News - Refer This Page National News
LOGAN, W.Va. (FinalCall.com) - Two defendants charged in connection with the torture of a Black woman in Logan County last summer have received the maximum sentences possible. Forty-six-year-old Karen Burton and 49-year-old Frankie Brewster were sentenced March 13 for their roles in the kidnapping and assault of Megan Williams. Both pleaded guilty last month. Ms. Brewster and Ms. Burton were among seven White Logan County residents who were charged in the Willlams case. Logan County Circuit Judge Roger Perry sentenced Ms. Brewster to 10 to 25-years for second-degree sexual assault. Ms. Burton, of Chapmanville, received three consecutive sentences. She received separate 2-10 year sentences for malicious assault and assault during the commission of a felony and 10 years for the civil rights charge. Ms. Burton’s lawyer, Betty Gregory, briefly objected to the civil rights charge during sentencing. “It’s never appropriate for anyone to use the N-word, including Black, White or purple people, but if everyone in the country who used the N-word went to prison, there’d be a lot of people there,” Atty. Gregory said. Judge Perry did not respond, but imposed the maximum sentence for the civil rights violation. Authorities say Ms. Williams was held captive for several days last summer at Ms. Brewster’s trailer in Big Creek. In addition to the beatings and assaults, authorities said Ms. Williams was forced to eat animal feces and stabbed. The 21-year-old Charleston woman was rescued by Logan County sheriff’s deputies on Sept. 8 after they received an anonymous tip. Ms. Williams and her parents were in the courtroom and wept as the sentences were read. “I just believe he (prosecutor Brian Abraham) shouldn’t have plea bargained with any of them,” her mother Carmen Williams said during a press conference after the sentencing. “She (Megan Williams) wanted them to do life.” Megan Williams, wearing dark sunglasses and a large black coat, made no statement. “These crimes are despicable,” said Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Robert Ilderton, who appeared at the sentencing hearing instead of Mr. Abraham, who was called up for military duty. “If any time requires consecutive sentencing and maximum penalty, this is the time.” According to Department of Corrections officials, Ms. Burton must spend at least 6 years and 6 months in prison before becoming eligible for parole. Ms. Brewster must serve at least 10 years before being considered for parole. Malik Shabazz, a founder of Washington, D.C.-based Black Lawyers for Justice, decried what he termed lenient sentences. He called for a special state prosecutor and renewed involvement by federal authorities to ensure stiffer prison terms. “I don’t understand what happened here in Logan County and why they don’t take what happens to our people seriously,” Atty. Shabazz said during the press conference. Judge Perry said during the brief, sparsely attended hearing that he considered the severity of the crimes and “prevention of any future crimes” by removing defendants Brewster and Burton from society. Two other defendants had already pleaded guilty and been sentenced. Ms. Burton’s 23-year-old daughter, Alisha, and George Messer, 27, both of Chapmanville, both pleaded guilty in February to kidnapping and assault and received 10-year sentences. Felony charges including kidnapping and sexual assault are pending against Ms. Brewster’s 24-year-old son, Bobby of Big Creek, and Danny Combs, 21, of Harts. A seventh defendant, Karen Burton’s son, Linnie Burton Jr., 21, of Chapmanville was indicted on a misdemeanor battery charge. —Shaya Tayefe Mohajer
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