The V.I. Justice Department brought new assault charges this week against Wayne Chinnery, former drug policy adviser to the governor. Chinnery is accused of pistol-whipping a woman in May, causing a laceration to her head that required medical attention.
Territorial Court documents indicate the four felony counts filed this week are in addition to an assault charge Chinnery faces in connection with a domestic violence incident July 5. During that incident he was accused of striking the mother of one of his children and punching her repeatedly while she was on the ground.
He pleaded not guilty to that charge a week ago and is awaiting trial.
The most recent charges include two counts of third-degree assault, one count of using a dangerous weapon during a crime of violence, and one count of aggravated assault and battery.
There was no explanation from the Justice Department as to why Chinnery was not arrested in connection with either incident. In both cases, he has appeared in Territorial Court for advice-of-rights and arraignment proceedings.
Gov. Charles W. Turnbull fired Chinnery without explanation days after the July domestic violence incident was reported.