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Probe of W.Va. Teen's Death Ends with no Answers

Posted: Mon 9:15 PM, Mar 18, 2013

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -- Officials still don't know how a teenage offender died in a West Virginia juvenile correctional facility in 2009.

An investigative commission could not determine or confirm a cause of death for Benjamin Hill.

The commission reached its conclusions in December, and the Supreme Court released its report Monday.

The 19-year-old was found dead in his cell at the Industrial Home for Youth in Salem. Hill had been there since pleading guilty to third-degree sexual assault at age 15.

The commission documented administrative problems at Salem, and with the state's juvenile justice system. Those included attempts by then-Juvenile Services Director Dale Humphreys to spy on investigators.

Humphreys was fired last month. State officials announced plans last week to close Salem to juveniles and convert it to a prison for adults.


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