By GREG JORDAN
PRINCETON — A McDowell County man wanted in connection with the March 28 shooting of a Bramwell police officer turned himself in Friday morning to the West Virginia State Police.
Eric Matney, 36, of Avondale contacted a McDowell County deputy to discuss turning himself in, said Trooper First Class M.S. Haynes of the Princeton detachment of the West Virginia State Police. Matney then contact Haynes and agreed to turn himself in.
A search began in the early morning hours of March 28 after Matney and his wife, Sherri Matney, were pulled over on U.S. Route 52 in Bramwell for a routine traffic stop by the Bramwell Police Department. After a 911 check showed that there was a Tazewell County probation violation and Mercer County Sheriff’s Department and Southern Regional Drug and Violent Crime Taskforce warrants for Sherri Matney.
When Patrolman Robert Stevenson approached the Matney’s pickup truck, the Matneys put it into gear and attempted to flee, State Police Sgt. M.D. Clemons said in her original report. A gunshot then grazed Stevenson, who was later treated and released at Bluefield Regional Medical Center.
Bramwell Police Chief fired at the truck and flattened a tire, Clemons said. The Matneys then fled into a wooded area.
Eric Matney arrived at the Princeton detachment off U.S. Route 460 at 11 a.m. Friday, Haynes said. He was then arrested and charged with attempt to commit a felony.
Matney was later arraigned by Magistrate Danny Fulknier and released after posting $1,000 bond. Attempt to commit a felony carries a penalty of one to five years in prison.
“He said he’s innocent and he came up here to face the charges,” Haynes said. “I’m glad he turned himself in and hopefully can get this straightened out.”
Haynes said Sherri Matney remains at large, and that her husband said that he did not know her whereabouts.
“I would urge her to turn herself in, too,” Haynes said.
— Contact Greg Jordan at gjordan@bdtonline.com
