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Speed Federal Case Involving Candidate

Hancock County voters may have a dilemma on their hands Nov. 8, when they cast ballots in the general election. The Republican nominee for sheriff, Mark Cowden, has been indicted on federal charges alleging he used excessive force against a man, then obstructed justice.

Cowden, 51, of Weirton, was indicted Wednesday.

He ran unopposed for the GOP nomination for sheriff, and will face his former boss, incumbent Sheriff Ralph Fletcher, a Democrat, in the election.

Obviously, a candidate for sheriff with charges such as those facing Cowden hanging over his head is at a severe disadvantage.

That makes it important for the charges to be handled as quickly as possible — consistent, of course, with justice being done.

Federal authorities should expedite the case to whatever extent they can, in the hope of a resolution, whatever that may be, in time to avoid making the November election a very difficult one for Hancock County voters.

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