Associated Press Published

Kanawha Prosecutor Says He Won't Resign

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Kanawha County prosecutor Mark Plants says his office doesn’t have a conflict investigating domestic violence cases involving children.
 
Plants is facing a domestic battery charge. He’s accused of hitting one of his sons more than 10 times with a leather belt on Feb. 22.
 
Plants told media outlets at a news conference on Monday that corporal punishment is legal if it’s reasonable. He says 75 percent of Kanawha County would be in jail if spanking was a crime.

Plants also said he won’t resign.
 
The state Office of Disciplinary Counsel has asked the West Virginia Supreme Court to either suspend Plants, prevent his office from working on cases involving allegations of violence by parents against children, or both.