GOP Videographer Requests Apology After Dem. State Attorney Gen. 'Attacks' Him

A staffer for Patrick Morrisey (R), who is challenging incumbent Attorney General Darrell McGraw (D) in West Virginia, is requesting an apology from the attorney general for what he claims was an unprovoked attack during a video confrontation.

The staffer, Justin Lafferty, was filming McGraw during a campaign stop on Saturday. McGraw, who did not want to be filmed, eventually asks whether he was a relative and then goes on to inquire if Lafferty is a "stalker." When Lafferty says no, a few seconds pass and McGraw appears to grab the camera out of Lafferty's hand and a loud noise is heard. However, immediately thereafter, the video ends.

Here's the short version of the clip, in which the attorney general calls a woman in pink "deceitful" and accuses her of conspiring with Lafferty:

Click here for the raw footage.

TheBlaze was emailed a photo by Morrisey's campaign claiming to show what the camera looked like after the incident:

Lafferty related his version of events:

“What happened this weekend really upset me.  No one should have to worry about being attacked by another person, and particularly by a man who has been in public office since the mid-1970s.

“On Saturday, at the Pumpkin Festival, Attorney General Darrell McGraw lunged at me, ripped the camera away, and tore the strap that was attached to my hand.  In so doing, he turned the power off on the camera.

“An adult in his position should be able to admit that what he did was wrong.  That is why I am asking Darrell McGraw for an apology.  That is my only request right now.  I will await his response before saying or doing anything further.”

Attorney General McGraw and his campaign did not respond to Associated Press requests for comment Monday. The AP says the incident has not been reported to police.

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