A special prosecutor has been selected to handle the case of the Paden City police chief allegedly beating his wife.
Wood County Prosecuting Attorney Jason Wharton was assigned the case, according to Philip Morrison, executive director of the West Virginia Prosecuting Attorneys Institute.
Morrison said a judge still has to approve the appointment. He said Wharton was chosen because Wood County is not far from Tyler County, but not so close that the office would be likely to be working on a case with Tyler County.
Joseph Lee Richardson, the Paden City police chief, is charged with domestic battery and unlawful restraint after allegedly attacking his wife on Oct. 11. Richardson, 33, of Friendly, was suspended from his job as a result.
D. Luke Furbee, Tyler County's prosecuting attorney, was allowed to recuse himself from the case last week.