Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office will handle charging decision in Wallens Ridge death

A different commonwealth attorney’s office will handle the charging decision in the death of a Wallens Ridge prisoner in Big Stone Gap. The Wise County Commonwealth Attorney’s Office says the death of Aubrey McKay is a special prosecutorial case and will be handled by the Smyth County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. The Virginia Department of Corrections confirmed that McKay died June 4 last year and that the death is being investigated as a homicide. Officials say at least one officer was either reprimanded or placed on leave in connection with the death. Virginia State Police is also investigating.