WCHS Eyewitness News Home Charleston Eyewitness Newsroom Charleston Storm Team Weather Sports News TV Program Schedule Community Mobile-Cellphone and PDA Get Connected SMS Text Facebook Twitter RSS News Feed Email List


ASSISTANT PROSECUTOR FIRED
Longtime Assistant Kanawha County Prosecutor Fired

Reported by: Send eMail Kennie Bass
Videographer: Matt Durrett
Web Producer: Kennie Bass
Reported: Feb. 6, 2013 8:06 AM EST
Updated: Feb. 7, 2013 9:31 AM EST

EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO
C L I C K   T O   P L A Y
Charleston , Kanawha County , West Virginia

In more than a decade of working for the people of Kanawha County, Maryclaire Akers handled several high profile cases. Among others, she prosecuted convicted sniper Shawn Lester.

However, Kanawha County Prosecutor Mark Plants has decided to go in a different direction for the office and has fired Akers.

"I love Maryclaire Akers and she's a great prosecutor," Plants said. "At the end of the day I met with my chief of staff and my two other co-chiefs of staff and we unanimously made the decision that it's in the best interest of the office that Maryclaire is no longer employed here."

Akers, who formerly served as Plants' chief of staff, recently worked with the U.S. Attorney as a special assistant. Akers says she was surprised by the decision but is confident her former co-workers won't miss a beat as they more forward.

"The office is a wonderful place to work full of very talented, very fine people," Akers said.

Akers says she was happy in the prosecutor's office but understands that Plants has the final say on who works there. However, she says the timing of his decision did catch her off guard.

"I'm puzzled by Mr. Plants' decision because two weeks ago I said, hey, I've got this great opportunity somewhere else. Let's talk about it," Akers said. "And he said I was an A+ prosecutor, asks me not to leave. Two weeks later he lets me go."

Plants says the decision to fire Akers was not one he made lightly, but he believes it is the right move.

"I don't make rash decisions," Plants said. "I didn't make this alone. And every decision I make will always be in the best interest of the office and the best interest of this county."



MORE NEWS FROM EYEWITNESS NEWS
SHOOTING INVESTIGATION
Man Shot On Charleston's West Side
Eyewitness News Photo
May. 19, 2013 10:14 AM EDT
Police are looking for the person who shot a man on ...
Full News Story

BELLE FIRE
Investigators Say Belle Fire Appears To Be Arson
Eyewitness News Photo
May. 18, 2013 10:17 PM EDT
A fire destroyed a trailer in Belle Friday night, and ...
Full News Story and Video

DIABETES FUNDRAISER
Empty Glass Event To Benefit Diabetes Foundation
Eyewitness News Photo
May. 18, 2013 11:46 PM EDT
You can listen to some good music while supporting ...
Full News Story and Video



News Vegas Icon Helps To Honor Local Armed Forces Members
May. 18, 2013 8:33 PM EDT
News Powerball Jackpot Stands At $600 Million
May. 18, 2013 11:18 PM EDT
News Dunbar Events Get Families Back To The Park
May. 19, 2013 4:25 AM EDT
News Kanawha Grand Jury Returns Indictments
May. 18, 2013 6:34 PM EDT
News Police Investigating Robbery At Embassy Suites
May. 18, 2013 6:35 PM EDT
News South Charleston Officials Moving Forward With Bond Sale
May. 18, 2013 9:00 PM EDT
News Book Examines Legal Fights Surrounding Blankenship
May. 19, 2013 4:37 AM EDT
News Several Bear Sightings Reported In South Charleston
May. 18, 2013 8:59 PM EDT
News Boyd County Deputies Bust Nine Meth Labs, Eight In One Home
May. 18, 2013 6:35 PM EDT
News WV Agency Hands Out All Available Reunion Kits
May. 18, 2013 4:53 PM EDT
News New Coin Commemorates WV 150th Birthday
May. 18, 2013 8:59 PM EDT
News 3-D Printers An Emerging Industry
May. 18, 2013 4:11 PM EDT
News 20 Seniors Could Be In Trouble Over Wayne High Vandalism
May. 18, 2013 2:37 AM EDT
News Man Arrested After Allegedly Making Young Girls Pose Provocatively In Front Of Webcam
May. 17, 2013 11:33 PM EDT
News Five Injured In Wyoming County Accident
May. 17, 2013 10:56 PM EDT
News Former Smithers Fire Chief Indicted
May. 17, 2013 10:57 PM EDT
News Clay County Man Indicted On Meth Charges
May. 18, 2013 2:18 AM EDT
News Top-Selling Comedians Perform In Huntington
May. 17, 2013 10:52 PM EDT
News 2,000 Take Part In Relay For Life
May. 18, 2013 2:27 AM EDT
News Make-A-Wish Sends Girl To Disney World
May. 18, 2013 2:28 AM EDT
News Crews Respond To Altizer Fire
May. 17, 2013 10:57 PM EDT
News Parents of Toddler Arrested, Charged With Meth-Making
May. 18, 2013 2:30 AM EDT
News Sissonville Man Beats The Odds
May. 17, 2013 6:42 PM EDT
News Cabell Huntington Observes EMS Week
May. 18, 2013 2:32 AM EDT
News Putnam Man Arrested On Meth Charges
May. 17, 2013 8:11 PM EDT
News Couple Arrested On Child Neglect Charges
May. 17, 2013 8:07 PM EDT
News Kasich To Alert Families To Execution Mercy
May. 17, 2013 5:55 PM EDT
News IRS Targeting Scandal Focus Of Poll
May. 17, 2013 5:28 PM EDT
News Unemployment Rates Fall In WV, Ohio In April
May. 17, 2013 4:53 PM EDT
News Huntington VA Medical Center Debuts New Women's Clinic
May. 18, 2013 2:14 AM EDT


Advertise on WCHS-TV Online

West Virginia News
Big decision looms for W.Va. House

West Virginia's House of Delegates faces a momentous decision once Speaker Rick Thompson departs for Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin's Cabinet.
Full Story

Kentucky News
N. Ky. sheriff making big changes

A northern Kentucky sheriff has made some big changes during his first few months in office.
Full Story

Ohio News
Cost could sink Cleveland trash plant

A proposal in Cleveland for a trash-to-energy plant could be sunk by rising cost estimates.
Full Story

Fugitive Files
Wanted: May. 14, 2013 You Can Help!
Fugitive Fugitive Fugitive Seen them? Call 888-720-TIPS
Details about these Fugitives

Behind The Kitchen Door
May 16, 2013
Shoney's-Charleston, Hibachi, Blues BBQ makes the list. Find out who has violations and who gets the Clean Kitchen Award!
Story and Video

2013 NEWS: JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | CURRENT
2012 NEWS: JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC







Fire!Fire!

Fugitive Files Tuesdays at 6 PM on Eyewitness News

West Virginia Wildlife Wednesdays at 6 PM on Eyewitness News

Newscast Scripts

ABC News web site





How To Contact WCHS-TV8 | Privacy Policy | FCC Public File | Terms and Conditions | DMCA Policy | Frequently Asked Questions

Home | Eyewitness News Newsroom | Storm Team Weather | Eyewitness Sports | Schedules

Send Mail Send email to news@wchstv.com for information or comments concerning WCHS-TV Eyewitness News.

Copyright ©2013, WCHS-TV8. Portions are
Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or distributed.