W. Va. Torture Suspects to Face Additional Kidnapping, Sexual Assault Charges

LOGAN, W.Va. – Some of the six people accused of torturing a woman for days in rural West Virginia are expected to face additional kidnapping and sexual assault charges, the county prosecutor said Monday.

Four of the defendants had been scheduled to appear in court Monday, but a dispute over which magistrate would hear the cases postponed their hearings, prosecutor Brian Abraham said. Two of the county's three magistrates were disqualified from one of the cases.

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Three defendants also secured new defense attorneys, who were meeting with their clients Monday morning.

Abraham declined to elaborate on the new charges, except to say that they would be filed either Monday or Tuesday.

The six people charged, all of them white, are accused of assaulting Megan Williams, who is black, for more than a week at a ramshackle trailer in Big Creek.

Police say Williams, 20, was tortured, sexually assaulted, forced to eat animal feces and taunted with a racial slur. Her ordeal ended when an anonymous tip led police to the home on Sept. 8.

The Associated Press generally does not identify suspected victims of sexual assault, but Williams and her mother agreed to release her name. Carmen Williams said she wanted people to know what her daughter had endured.

Frankie Brewster, 49, who owns the home, is charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, malicious wounding and giving false information during a felony investigation. Her son, Bobby Brewster, 24, is charged with kidnapping, sexual assault, malicious wounding and assault during the commission of a felony. Police have said he had a previous relationship with Williams.

Danny J. Combs, 20, of Harts, is charged with sexual assault and malicious wounding.

Karen Burton, 46, of Chapmanville is charged with malicious wounding, battery and assault during the commission of a felony. Her daughter, Alisha Burton, 23, and George A. Messer, 27, both of Chapmanville, are charged with assault during the commission of a felony and battery.

All six remained in custody on $100,000 cash bail each.