New trial ordered for man convicted of murder of Beckley PD officer

Local News

November 23, 2009

Anonymous The Register-Herald Mon Nov 23, 2009, 02:22 PM EST

CHARLESTON (AP) — The state Supreme Court has ordered a new trial for a man convicted in the 2006 shooting death of an undercover Beckley police officer.

In Monday’s unanimous ruling, the court said Michael E. Martin should receive a new trial because of an error involving testimony given by a state trooper during his trial.

The unsigned opinion said the trooper’s testimony on the credibility of two prosecution witnesses shouldn’t have been allowed.

Martin and a second man were convicted for the Aug. 29, 2006, shooting death of 29-year-old Beckley detective Charles “Chuckie” Smith.

Smith was shot as he tried to purchase crack cocaine at a Beckley residence.

For the complete story, see Tuesday's edition of The Register-Herald.

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