This letter was sent to the Cape Charles Mirror: It seems the Eastern Shore Post has done it again. They have posted another story about Cape Charles being a crime ridden place. It’s not any one’s business if a local educator chokes someone out and that a gun was pulled by the assaulted person. This is certainly not a concern for the police or the ATF, just because this happened in a crowded pub in downtown Cape Charles. The owner and all his patrons have every right to keep it hush hush, RIGHT? I mean just because you have an assault, a gun and both parties under the influence of alcohol, why should it be a safety concern for the pub patrons or the town’s community, no big deal right ?? I hope this does not affect the sale of that delicious Vegan burger I have heard so much about.
Here is the account of the incident from the Eastern Shore Post:
Jeffrey Antonio Wayman, 39, a physical education/driver education instructor with Accomack County Public Schools for 15 years, who lives on Belle Haven Road in Belle Haven, is accused of “impeding the blood circulation of Tyler Combs without such person’s consent by knowingly, intentionally and unlawfully applying pressure to the neck of such person resulting in wounding or bodily injury.”Wayman was also charged with assault and battery of Combs and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors. He was arrested on Jan. 3 by Sgt. Bobby Taylor of the Accomack County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being handled by Officer Andrew Spencer of the Cape Charles Police Department (CCPD). Combs, 21, of Seaside Road in Capeville, was charged with reckless handling of a firearm, disorderly conduct, brandishing a firearm and carrying a concealed firearm without a permit, according to Chief Jim Pruitt of CCPD. All four counts are misdemeanors. Combs is free on unspecified bond. Pruitt said both men had been drinking. “Some words were exchanged and then the two got into a scuffle,” Pruitt said, adding, “It could have been a really bad situation. The other issue we have is nobody called and reported it,” despite that there was apparently a room full of people in attendance. Pruitt said the incident occurred at about 1 a.m. and that his office was not alerted about it until much later. “No shots were fired,” he added.
The Mirror contacted CCPD Chief Jim Pruitt about the about the fight that took place at a ‘Cape Charles night spot’ (confirmed to be Kelly’s Gingernut Pub) back on Dec 24th, as was reported in the Post:
1. Why was this not reported to CCPD when it happened? Has there been any follow-up on why this was not reported, and who made the decision not to call the authorities?
2. If it wasn’t reported, how did we find out about it?
3. How did the county sheriff’s office find out?
4. What role does CCPD have in the case now?
Chief Pruitt responded: Your question #1 that is a good question, it baffles me why someone wouldn’t call when a gun is brandished in a public place. That part of the case has been turned over to the ABC agent to handle. Question #2 I received a personal phone call telling me what had happened, the next day and I had my guys start investigating it. During there investigation evidence was recovered and interviews of the suspects were taken, from there Officer Spencer obtained warrants on both parties.
In reality, fights happen in bars all the time, and Cape Charles is no exception. Every night in America, somewhere, someone will be beaten, stabbed, shot or even killed in a bar room altercation. The disturbing part is that the Town of Cape Charles wants to cover things up and paint a false narrative only for tourism growth. Let’s face it, in recent times we have seen a kid gunned down in the park, a brutal rape in the park, a rape at the beach (that was somehow made to go away), a town resident killed a Cheriton man in cold blood, gunshots on the beach, any number of vicious street fights, and the list goes on. While Councilman Bannon and Town Council may want to attack the Eastern Shore Post for ‘fake news’ , without the professional staff of that paper covering the police beat, we would never find out about half of these events.
http://www.capecharlesmirror.com/news/vice-mayor-chris-bannon-critical-of-es-post-for-making-cape-charles-look-like-a-crime-infested-rat-hole/
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Dont be fooled. Cape Charles Police knew. They only acted when forced to do so. They tried to cover because, few are aware that Jeff Waymon is the nephew of the District Court Clerk, Karen Merritt. Can’t have those folks looking bad.
No one gives a damn about a district court clerk or their family members….What small minds you have.
I was born and raised in cape Charles, this is why I had to move away, they thrive on gossip. just remember what goes around, comes around.
were you there ? NOW you want to put karens name in here, cause she has a great job.please get a life, open them closets. lol. no one and I mean no one is perfect.
Why the attack on the Town Council? I doubt any of them were witnesses in the bar during the attack. In particular I have not seen Chris Bannon cavorting late at night at Kelly’s for years. For the most part Cape Charles is a quiet little town and the streets are safe. Our neighbors watch out for one another just like Mayberry.
If you finish reading the article about his attack on the E.S Post’s reporting of crimes is why the attack on the town council, which Mr Bannon is a member. Also Mr. Stone if you think coverups don’t happen in small towns like on the Eastern Shore,whether because of Family member,friend or old money involvement “WAKE UP”. This is a prime example of an attempted cover-up (“for whatever reason”) gone bad.I mean why would a room full of people not report a fight with a gun being pulled “ASAP”, were they offered a round of drinks on the house or what.Every night you hear about mass shooting and stockpiles of guns & ammunition being found, please don’t be fooled into thinking it can’t happen here. Maybe someone who was there will tell us why they kept quiet about this incident.Alcohol and guns don’t mix.
Then call the state police they are less likely to care about inflated egos that stem from small county public service…I mean, really, a court clerk? How much power do you think they have….and their kin folk. Sad. The only things that happen are those that you all allow to happen.
I have not heard about someone being gunned down in the park (I assume Central Park). When did this occur, who was involved?
Note: 2006?
Yes, it would be covered up for a District Court clerk. Not small minded, just a small town where MANY things get swept under the rug when a family member has a position in the legal system.
Only if all the mental midgets allow it…You have forgotten, those people are merely public servants. They work for the citizens of the county that hired them….Period.
Can we somehow get answers to questions 3 and 4 from Chief Pruitt?
Perhaps the CCPD was not notified or reported to because there were no CC police officers on duty at the time of the incident. (that is how the county sheriff’s office found out before CCPD) CCPD has six officers, however, they do not provide 24 hour coverage, and majority of the time they is no coverage in CC during the early morning hours (12AM -6am). CCPD relies heavily on the County Sheriff’s Office to handle incidents/situations when the CCPD is not on duty. But why don’t they have 24 hour coverage? Exmore PD provides 24 hour coverage, with the same amount officers, and Exmore PD has three times the call outs of CCPD (just listen to your scanner). The County Sheriff’s only has eight officers that answer calls and patrol the entire county and they provide 24 hour coverage as well. Not to mention the fact that CC has three packed bars on any given night.
Perhaps the CCPD was not notified or reported to because there were no CC police officers on duty at the time of the incident. (that is how the county sheriff’s office found out before CCPD) CCPD has six officers, however, they do not provide 24 hour coverage, and majority of the time there is no coverage in CC during the early morning hours (12AM -6am). CCPD relies heavily on the County Sheriff’s Office to handle incidents/situations when the CCPD is not on duty. But why don’t they have 24 hour coverage? Exmore PD provides 24 hour coverage, with the same amount officers, and Exmore PD has three times the call outs of CCPD (just listen to your scanner). The County Sheriff’s only has eight officers that answer calls and patrol the entire county and they provide 24 hour coverage as well. Not to mention the fact that CC has three packed bars on any given night.
Was Chief Pruitt alerted much later or did he receive a personal call and start the investigation the next day?
I want to make a few things clear since the entire article is being taken out of context. My officers work past 12am and I had a officer on duty at the time of the incident. This incident happened inside a building and was never reported to us. I was personally called by a citizen the same morning and my officers immediately started the investigation. Northampton county sheriffs office was not involved at all. The sheriffs office that is referred to in the story was Accomack county and their involvement was serving the arrest warrants that we obtained, due to the suspect living and working in Accomack county. This office takes pride in what we do and respect the uniform that we wear. Our number one goal since I have been Chief of Police is to keep our citizens safe and out of harms way. When you come to Cape Charles looking for trouble we will certainly be glad to meet you face to face regardless of who you are.
You keep up the good work, chief! Cape Charles is as safe as any small town. The problem is that the people of the town have nothing better to do with their time but judge how the town is handled on a police level. This altercation happened 15000 times on Christmas Eve. 2017 probably all around the country. It just happened here, and people are gonna talk! Again, bravo to you and your crew for your service!
Well said, Chief! Thanks to all in CCPD.
There will always be people who are critical. Isn’t it a shame?
Blogs and social media, yech! (That’s me being critical.)
Note: Not sure why some folks are taking this article as a criticism of the CCPD. A concerned citizen sent in a letter, we followed up with the source details from the Post, contacted Chief Pruitt and printed his side of the story (as he told it to us). If there is anything critical, it is us criticizing Council for being critical of how the ES Post accurately reports the county police beat, including crimes in Cape Charles. That said, we always appreciate your commentary and criticism, Madam X. Keep it coming!
The incident at The Gingerhut would have played out much different if it had happened on say the 4th of July. Every millennial with a cell phone would have posted it on social media before CCPD even knew anything had happened. Pd handled it as well as they could after learning of it well after the fact.
Lol, cant resist a dig at millennials eh?
You snowflakes have brought that on yourselves….embrace it. You all really are a sad lot.
I was saying more along the lines that millennials being present to post things to social media was an unnecessary part of the discussion. Knowing Kelly’s as I do, I would imagine that there were quite a few people there from every generation. Sorry lot? Perhaps, but, that is your opinion.
IT WOULD BE NICE TO SEE A Police officer on foot patrol at night on Mason ave 1] checking shop doors illegal parked vehicles .Intoxicated drivers leaving places like the Oyster farm Kelley pub etc THE Central park area and the Harbor there is Much drug use in Cape Charles..Old Cape Road is a drag strip on most nights With Fines imposed would pay for the Police Dept.
that was 40 years ago when my dad , Elton Merritt, Charlie powell & mitchell were the great police officers they were. Rip
Nioaka, the clerk of court is my sister and I can assure you that she was not part of any so called cover up! What the hell does her job and being Jeff’s aunt have to do with the police not being called? You need to get the facts straight before you start spouting off at the mouth!!
Not to defend a Nioaka, but it is corrupt from the bench to the squad car. Good cops cover for bad ones. Judges cover for each other and their state/district attorneys and prosecutors . I have seen mere secretaries that work for a sheriffs office try to avoid a ticket by saying they work at The Sherriff’s Office.
People people, the only attempted cover up there was starts and ends with the establishment’s staff and it’s patrons that night who did nothing to alert the P.D. The P.D. was playing catch-up from the beginning that next morning. The two participants in this altercation should both be dealt with according to the law, strangulation & pulling a gun are no small potatoes, but as well the establishment should have a strict penalty levied against them for their actions or should I say non actions. This truly reminds me of something that would happen in a big city where people see things like this happen and do nothing. The Norteños have truly taken over Cape Charles, you are not golden anymore.
Are you a “come here” or a “from here”, Rick?
No Trespass Orders were requested on both individuals the following day and were served and in effect on 12/28.
To even suggest there is a cover up because of Karen’s job and her relationship to Jeff is laughable. Since the judge has recused himself from the case because of his working relationship with Karen, your statement is illogical, unfounded and quite frankly, ignorant! The only cover up seems to be coming from Kelly’s. Not alerting police when someone is brandishing a firearm in a crowed bar speaks volumes. Whether they didn’t call because they didn’t want negative attention or a visit from ABC officials, is anyone’s guess! Not to excuse his behavior but Jeff is a kind hearted, hard working, loving father and teacher. Maybe wait until all the details of the case come out before rushing to judgment.
I would like to ask Jimmy Pruitt a question. I would like to know why you put that officer in charge of the investigation when Tyler Combs and him are good friends?
To be clear: I never said that Karen Merritt was behind a cover up or a part of one. I said it was the reason
behind no report being made until forced.As for closets, there are no skeletons in mine. They were never placed in the closet, never hid anything I did. Also, I do agree with Angela Merritt Roasa’s question about why a close friend of one of the accused is heading the investigation. The best thing to do in this case is to turn it over to an agency in which there is no conflict of interest.
No Nioaka, the cops were asked to be called three different times that night.
Funny how this incident is blown out of proportion, when the chief of police himself has gotten away with a very similar “strangulation” incident, at another local establishment, but that was swept under the rug.
This is why I no longer have social media. I believe in free speech but this has now just turned into nasty gossip. The Mirror should not allow users to remain anonymous when writing such terrible things about someone’s character. If you feel so strongly and are so concerned, why not put your name?
Note: Ms. Rosa, we agree with you, and have struggled with this issue. It was pointed out that we also have an anonymous posting page, so the difference between that, and posting an anonymous comment is small. We do wish people would use real names, but understand why they don’t. In the end, we opt for multiple voices and opinions, whether we agree with them or not.