Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, SportsProsecutors Hope To Make Example Of Man Convicted In Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster

Prosecutors Hope To Make Example Of Man Convicted In Upper Big Branch Mine Disaster

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Prosecutors say they want to make an example of a former security chief at the Upper Big Branch Mine.

Hughie Stover was convicted of lying to investigators after the worst mine disaster in four decades.

U.S. attorney Booth Goodwin says Stover deserves the maximum possible of sentence of 25 years in prison.

Goodwin says Stover's actions contributed to the April 2010 disaster that killed 29 men. He says a tough sentence would deter bad conduct for an industry that's closely watching the outcome.

But defense attorney Bill Wilmoth says Stover deserves no jail time. He wants probation or home confinement.