On Monday, July 22, 2013, at approximately 9:15 p.m., Metro 911 received a report of a stabbing at 5910 MacCorkle Avenue SW, at the Rustic Motel. Deputy J. E. Mace of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office responded. He arrived with paramedics from the Kanawha County Emergency Ambulance Authority. Deputy Mace was assisted by law enforcement officers of the South Charleston Police Department. They made sure the scene was safe for the medics, then invited medics into the area to begin treating the man who was cut, LaSalle Burnett (31 years of age of Jefferson, Kanawha County).
Deputies began interviewing witnesses, and documenting blood trails and evidence. Witnesses told deputies that Mr. Burnett had been drinking heavily. When the deputies tried to ask Mr. Burnett what happened his speech was slurred and incoherent. He was taken to the hospital, and a statement from Mr. Burnett will be taken when he is medically and mentally able.
During the early stages of the investigation South Charleston Police Officers were dispatched to contact Willis McLemore (62 years of age, of South Charleston, WV) and his daughter, Amber McLemore (25 years of age, of Nitro, WV). The McLemore’s called dispatchers to report their involvement in the incident. Deputy Mace met and interviewed them in South Charleston.
Amber McLemore and LaSalle Burnett have several children together. According to her statement Mr. Burnett was supposed to be caring for the children, but instead took them to a bar where they played with a ball while he became inebriated. She and Mr. McLemore (her father) went to pick up the kids and located Mr. Burnett at his apartment. An argument began between Mr. McLemore and Mr. Burnett. Mr. McLemore said Mr. Burnett began a physical fight by swinging his fists several times. Mr. McLemore used a pocket knife to defend himself, cutting Burnett several times. As the McLemore’s tried to escape Mr. Burnett climbed onto and lay across the hood of their car in what they believed was an attempt to keep them at the scene. They pulled away leaving Mr. Burnett laying on the lot near his apartment, where Deputy Mace found him.
Deputies consulted with an on-duty prosecutor during the investigation, which is on-going. To date no arrests have been made and no charges have been sought in the matter. Anyone with additional information is asked to contact Deputy Mace at 304-357-0169 or submit an anonymous tip at www.kanawhasheriff.us.
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Corporal B. D. Humphreys
Kanawha County Sheriff’s Office
301 Virginia Street East,
Charleston WV 25301
304-357-0732 / 304-951-7328