THIS IS FROM CHANNEL 7 KTLV NEWS PUBLISHED ON THE KLTV 7 NEWS WEBSITE ON DECEMBER 30, 2010\r
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View the news story and article at KLTV for more information as you cannot list the link here.\r
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Three Upshur County Officials were charged with official oppression and abuse of official capacity by a grand jury.\r
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Sheriff Anthony Betteron, Judge Dean Fowler, and precinct 3 Commissioner Lloyd Crabtree all turned themselves in after they were charged.\r
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These charges stem from the Upshur County Commissioner's court ending public comments at meetings.\r
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KLTV has also learned that Upshur County Judge Dean Fowler cast the tie-breaking vote to once again, allow public comment at meetings.\r
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For weeks, residents taped their mouths shut in silent protest during the meetings. Some even wore their disgust with the rule on their sleeves, wearing shirts that read ""Can you hear me now?""\r
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Public comment will be allowed at the next meeting, but two new commissioners are expected to join the court after the first of the year.\r
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