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Glenville police officer Sgt. Michael Kendall is facing a nine-count indictment for the
second time, related to a March police chase where he shot through a subjects
vehicle. The charges had been dropped because of a technical error during an
earlier session of the Gilmer grand jury.
A Gilmer County grand jury returned a nine-count indictment yesterday with one
count of attempt to commit voluntary manslaughter, three counts of wanton
endangerment, three counts of kidnapping, one count of burglary and one
misdemeanor count of destruction of property.
Sgt. Kendall chased Kevin Tingler, 20, at speeds of 100 miles per hour on Route 5
toward Grantsville, after he suspected that he was drinking. During the chase,
Tingler's pickup truck went into a yard.
The officer said the man attempted to run him down, after which he fired a shot
through the driver's door. "It is unknown whether I hit him or not as he continued to
flee the scene," said the report.
Tingler claims the officer rammed his vehicle.
Kendall was accompanied by Weston policeman Ptl. Jacob Dennison. Former Mayor
Wayne Richmond said the Weston officer was involved in a "ride along" program, not
as an officer, but as a citizen. No charges have been filed against him.
Officer Kendall said "The pursuit continued, but was unable to regain a visual of the
vehicle." His report did not indicate he continued pursuit through another county to
the Tingler family residence, where he is accused of forcibly entering the dwelling
and drawing a gun on the occupants.
The Clarksburg Exponent said Kendall, a graduate of the West Virginia Police
Academy, had resigned from the Clarksburg Police Department amid dismissal
proceedings, before he was hired last year in Glenville.
Reports circulated in Glenville that residents had been complaining about the
behavior of the officer. Former mayor Richmond told The Herald "We get complaints
about almost every officer," indicating it goes with the job.
In Patrolman Kendall's case, the former mayor said "No one came forward to make it
official."
Mrs. Kim Tingler, mother of Kevin Tingler, told the Herald "I am really concerned
about the behavior of these officers," indicating the public should also be
concerned.
Patrolman Kendall filed ethics charges against Gilmer Magistrate Bob Minigh
because he would not issue warrants to him for Tingler. Minigh did issue warrants to
the Gilmer County Sheriff's Department for Tingler, because a source said Patrolman
Kendall was involved in a shooting incident with Tingler, among other concerns.
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