W.Va. contractor requests jury trial

September 12, 2002|by KIMBERLY YAKOWSKI

A Berkeley Springs, W.Va., contractor charged with threatening a Hancock Town Councilman and making a false report to police has requested a jury trial, Assistant Washington County State's Attorney Robert Veil said.

Victor Wyn Dill, 52, made his request for a trial prior to a scheduled appearance in Washington County District Court Wednesday morning, Veil said.

Dill, who was hired by the town to perform work on its water plant, was charged on June 27 following an argument on May 30 with Councilman Darwin Mills.

According to charging documents, Dill approached Mills, who was sitting in his parked car in the 100 block of West Main Street in Hancock and began discussing the contract he had with the town. Mills told him he didn't want to talk about it, which sparked a heated argument, charging documents state.

Mills told the Hancock Police Department that Dill cursed at him and threatened to smash his head, according to allegations in charging documents.

After Mills reported the incident to police, Dill told police that Mills pulled out a handgun and threatened him by saying, "Come on big boy, take your best shot," documents allege.

Dill then filed an assault report to police.

Witness Leo Michaels of Hancock, however, told police that he was sitting in the car next to Mills and that Mills never pulled out a gun and that he did not see a handgun, the documents state.

Mills said Wednesday the contract that started the argument dates back to Feb. 25, when the Hancock Town Council agreed to have Dill perform work on the town's water plant.

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