May 11, 2021

Manchin Statement On Sentencing of Clarksburg Serial Killer, VAMC Report

Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) released the following statement on the sentencing of a former Clarksburg VAMC nursing assistant for the murders at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg and the Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of the Inspector General’s (OIG) report.

“The last several years have been incredibly painful for families and loved ones of the Veterans murdered at the Clarksburg VAMC. Although the sentence is long overdue, I was pleased to see this criminal locked away for life and receive the maximum sentence of seven consecutive life sentences plus 20 years in prison. I hope this robust sentencing can bring some sense of peace to the victims’ families,” said Senator Manchin. “The OIG report released today revealed what we already knew to be true: the Clarksburg VAMC was completely void of leadership and patient safety was not prioritized. Now it is time to ensure the negligence we saw in Clarksburg never happens again and to hold those accountable who looked the other way while this happened. The quality of care our Veterans receive at West Virginia VAMCs and VA facilities across the nation is of the utmost importance, and I am determined to ensure every Veteran has access to the safe, quality healthcare they deserve. I look forward to meeting with VA Secretary Dennis McDonnough when he travels to West Virginia soon to begin our frank discussion on how the VA will institute a change of culture in Clarksburg, and certify that all patient safety procedures and background adjudications are being followed. I also thank the prosecutors who have worked tirelessly to put this monster away for life.

Most importantly, may we forever remember those Veterans who lost their lives and the families who will forever miss them. I know all West Virginians join me in praying for the souls of Veterans Robert Edge Sr., Robert Kozul, Archie Edgell, George Shaw Sr., W.A.H., Felix McDermott, Raymond Golden, Russell Posey and the many others who may have been impacted through this act of negligence and homicide.”