The Mingo Republican

Hatfield Plea
For Probation
Set Sept. 22

Whether Allen Hatfield will be placed on probation or be required to serve a one to five year penitentiary sentence will be determined September 22.

Scheduled for decision Wednesday the question of probation for Hatfield was passed because for the last several months Mingo county has not had a probation officer.

Hatfield's petition for probation must be investigated and a written report and recommendation filed before he can act, Judge Ferguson announced.

Because the post of probation officer is vacant the duties, under the law, devolve on Sheriff Thurman Chambers, who will make the required investigation and file a written report prior to September 22.

There was no response this morning when Judge Ferguson extended an invitation to any and all who may oppose probation for Hatfield to come forward and be heard.

Attorney John J. Justice told the court he had been spoken to but not employed by persons opposed to probation.

Hatfield, then Matewan police chief, shot and killed Hubert (Bay) McCoy last February 17.

Tried at the last May term, Hatfield was convicted by a jury of voluntary manslaughter and the mandatory sentence of one to five years was imposed.

Pending disposition of his petition for probation, Hatfield was released on $5,000 bond with two of his brothers, M. D. and V. T. Hatfield, as sureties.

McCoy was shot in the back of the head while he and Curtis Coleman, then a Matewan patrolman, were allegedly struggling for possession of the officer's pistol. Hatfield admitted firing the fatal shot and claimed justification in that he feared McCoy would get possession of the weapon and kill Coleman. "I believed he would kill me after killing Coleman," Hatfield testified at his trial.

Hatfield, after resigning as Matewan police chief, bought a farm at Bladen on the Ohio river between Huntington and Gallipolis. Prior to the death of McCoy Hatfield shot and killed Rock Nuneri, Italian lodging house operator. He was acquitted by a jury on his plea of self defense.

Russell Varney, appointed by Judge Ferguson as Mingo county probation officer, was relieved of his duties last summer by the county court. The county court budget for this fiscal year contained no appropriation for the salary of a probation officer.

Attorney J. Brooks Lawson, counsel for Hatfield, suggested the probation matter be deferred to September 22 so that Sheriff Chambers can complete the required investigation.