W.Va. Lawmakers Weigh In On Logan Torture Allegations

As the unfolding case involving at least a half-dozen Logan County residents continues to attract national press attention, U.S. Sens. Robert C. Byrd and Jay Rockefeller, both D-W.Va., have each issued statements on the case, MetroNews reports.

Delegate John Overington, R-Berkeley, is meanwhile researching state law to see whether he should propose legislation making torture a specific crime.

"Torture by itself when it’s not involving other cases doesn’t appear to be a crime”, he told The Register-Herald of Beckley.

The Associated Press has reported on the debate over whether the incident should be prosecuted as a hate crime. AP also examines the incident within the context of race relations in the mostly white Mountain State.