Charge dropped against Twigg

March 23, 2007|by MATTHEW UMSTEAD

MARTINSBURG, W.VA. - A misdemeanor count of domestic battery filed against former Martinsburg City Councilman Glenville L. Twigg was dismissed Thursday morning after the victim appeared in Berkeley County Magistrate Court and asked the charge be dropped.

Wearing a Washington Redskins jacket, blue jeans and sunglasses, Twigg, 61, of 315 Twigg Drive, told presiding Magistrate Sandra L. Miller he couldn't afford an attorney for the trial, but was prepared to provide his own defense or pro se.

Twigg was charged with the misdemeanor Jan. 25 after allegedly punching Allen Starcher, one of his employees, in the head during a confrontation at Twigg's Fifth Ward home.

"The incident that occurred at the Twigg household that night in late January was the result of a very stressful week at work and the stress was carried into the home," Starcher said in a March 22 letter he submitted to the court.

"When I called the police it was not to have anyone arrested, but out of anger and because I have no other means of transportation, was hoping that they could provide me with a ride to another location.

"Mr. Twigg and I both agreed that the situation was completely blown out of proportion," Starcher said.

Starcher noted in the letter that he had been residing at Twigg's house for more than three years at the time, but he does not live there now and still is employed at Twigg's North Centre Street business as a grill cook and kitchen supervisor.

"Mr. Twigg and his wife (Cynthia) have been very good to me. I still work at Twiggy's (Subs and Convenience store) and have even been back to the home to visit and spend the night. It is my opinion that it would be a shame for this unfortunate incident to go any further," Starcher concluded.

Miller agreed to dismiss the charge, but warned Twigg she would not dismiss a subsequent domestic battery offense filed against him.

After the hearing, Twigg said the confrontation was "just one of those things" that happened in the heat of the moment.

"He's my best employee, I don't know what I would do without him," said Twigg, before he and Starcher left the Berkeley County Judicial Center together in the same vehicle, with the former councilman behind the wheel.

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