WVSP whistleblower pleads not guilty to alleged domestic violence

UPDATE 10/3/23 @ 10:20 p.m.

RITCHIE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The whistleblower whose anonymous letter revealed serious allegations of wrongdoing within West Virginia State Police pleaded not guilty Tuesday to charges against him related to alleged domestic violence.

Defense lawyer David Moye said his client Joseph M. Comer pleaded not guilty to strangulation, domestic battery, and violation of a protective order. The first two alleged incidents happened in December 2022, while the alleged violation of a protective order happened in June 2023.

On Monday, Comer, who’s in his early 40s, was named in a three-count indictment in Ritchie County.

A pretrial hearing is set for Nov. 27, with the trial scheduled for Nov. 27.

See the original story below for more details.

ORIGINAL STORY 10/2/23

RITCHIE COUNTY, W.Va. (WSAZ) - The whistleblower whose anonymous letter revealed serious allegations of wrongdoing within West Virginia State Police is named in a three-count indictment in Ritchie County.

According to information from Ritchie County Circuit Court released Monday, Joseph M. Comer, who’s in his early 40s, was indicted by a grand jury on the following charges:

- Strangulation -- The alleged incident happened Dec. 5, 2022 in Ritchie County.

- Domestic battery -- Allegedly happened Dec. 12, 2022

- Violation of a protective order in June 2023

Early last month, Comer turned himself in to authorities on a bond revocation related to phone records. West Virginia State Police also announced an intent to terminate Comer, who was a corporal within the agency.