EKB News

A former West Virginia attorney was found guilty of manslaughter yesterday after the jury returned their verdict in the three day trial. Lafe P. Ward Jr. was originally charged with murder in connection to the car crash which killed Benita Dixon of Varney but the jury settled on a charge of second degree manslaughter. Witnesses at the time of the crash say Ward ran a red light and hit Dixon's car, she later died. The prosecution in the case argued that Ward was drunk and had prescription pills in his system. Ward's attorneys admitted he was at fault, but said this was just an accident, not a crime. The jury compromised with the manslaughter verdict, saying it wasn't murder, but that Ward still caused her death. The jury recommended a ten year sentence the maximum penalty for manslaughter. Commonwealth's Attorney Rick Bartley said it's a no win situation for both families. Ward is scheduled to be sentenced march 23rd.