A convicted drug user supports Harvey Latney (and Homer Johnson, Maxie Rozell, and Calvin Taylor)

No big surprise there, right?

Pamela Joan Mastropaolo (also a shoplifter extraordinaire), pled guilty to a felony charge of obtaining drugs by fraud (§ 18.2-258.1) in Henrico County Circuit Court. It was latter reduced to a misdemeanor charge of obtaining drugs by fraud.

She was still on probation from her previous shoplifting escapades however no show cause was issued in Williamsburg/James City County Circuit Court for violation of probation. I’m sure that had nothing to do with the fact that the Commonwealth’s Attorney in Williams/James City County is a Democrat and Pamela Mastropaolo and her husband Michael happen to be big Democratic contributors, right?

She’s also working as Latney’s campaign manager. She’s also going around claiming to be a reporter at the Richmond Times-Dispatch. According to a phone call to the Richmond Times-Dispatch’s office, she no longer works there. So, who am I to trust? The person that has pled guilty to two felonies already, or the person I talked to at the Richmond Times-Dispatch?

Also, according to Latney’s most recent campaign finance report the address given for Pamela Mastropaolo is:

1417 Brook Road
Richmond, VA 23220

That just happens to be the address for Harvey Latney’s office.

So Harvey, why do you have someone that has twice pled guilty to felonies in your office and helping on your campaign?

So Homer, are you going to stop having a convicted drug user and shoplifter hand out signs for you? Oh wait, you’re already the convicted felon choice for sheriff…

So Maxie, are you going to return that campaign contribution?

So Calvin, ditto on the campaign contribution?

Pamela Mastropaolo helping to hand out signs for Homer Johnson, Harvey Latney, and Calvin Taylor at the Frog Level Harvest Festival.

Pamela Mastropaolo (center, in the tent on the right) chatting with Maxie Rozell (right, in the tent on the right) at the Frog Level Harvest Festival.

pdficon_small

PDF of Pamela Mastropaolo’s sentencing order [social security number and date of birth redacted].

pdficon_small PDF of Harvey Latney’s most recent campaign contributions.

Shelia Boone to plead guilty

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Ex-secretary to plead guilty to embezzlement:

Shelia Mae Boone, accused of embezzling thousands from a dead woman’s estate through the lawyer she worked for, is scheduled to plead guilty today in federal court.

The lawyer she worked for, Harvey Latney Jr., works part time as the commonwealth’s attorney of Caroline County.

Boone, a Caroline resident, had been scheduled for trial next week. She was indicted in August by a federal grand jury on two counts of bank fraud and one of aggravated identity theft.

She is scheduled to plead guilty under the terms of an agreement with federal prosecutors.

The indictment alleges that she deposited two forged checks into a Wachovia Bank account, one written for $86,786.54 in September 2002 and one for $185,000 in January 2005.

Both checks were drawn on an account holding money from the estate of Florence C. Williams, who died in 2002.

Latney was the executor of the estate. Boone was the only employee in Latney’s law practice in Richmond.

Boone is charged with bank fraud for the two alleged forged checks and with identity theft for allegedly using Williams’ name on them.

Authorities said Latney was “totally taken aback” when authorities discovered the missing money. That was after authorities started to investigate complaints from the Williams family about how long it was taking to settle the $420,000 estate.

Authorities have said they believe Boone kept Latney from seeing letters about the Williams estate and replied to some of them herself, forging Latney’s signature. They think she erased some voice-mail telephone messages and accepted court summonses for Latney without telling him.

UPDATE: From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Lawyer’s aide pleads guilty to fraud:

Shelia Mae Boone pleaded guilty this afternoon to one count of bank fraud for embezzling money from an escrow account kept by Harvey Latney Jr., the lawyer she worked for.

Latney, besides having a private law practice, works part-time as commonwealth’s attorney for Caroline County.

Boone, 49, of Caroline, was charged in U.S. District Court with two counts of bank fraud and with one of agravated identity theft.

Under her agreement with the U.S. attorney, Boone pleaded to the single count and stipulated that the loss from her fraudulent actions is $92,930.42.

Boone, who was the only employee in Latney’s law practice, admitted writing checks drawn on Latney’s bank accounts maintained for clients. The activity started in 2004 and lasted at least until November 2006.

The maximum possible prison term for bank fraud is 30 years. Boone’s penalty will likely be much less at her sentencing, scheduled for Feb. 8.

Nice to see the mental health system has improved in Virginia…

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Slaying suspect was off his meds:

The man police say stabbed a 70-year-old woman to death in Richmond on Saturday morning suffered from a schizophrenic condition and had not been taking his court-ordered medication, according to a law-enforcement source.

The source also said suspect Johnny F. Hughes, 52, was charged with attempted murder in the mid-1990s but was found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Court records indicate that Hughes was convicted in June of carrying a concealed weapon. He was sentenced to seven months in jail, with six months suspended.

The court ordered Hughes to take anti-psychotic medicine, the source said, and he was to be monitored by the Richmond Behavioral Health Authority. Attempts to reach the authority yesterday were unsuccessful.

Less than five months after his conviction, Hughes encountered Susanne L. Thompson on Saturday shortly before 9 a.m. as she walked her dog on West Broad Street near the Department of Motor Vehicles’ main offices. Moments later, she was dead, stabbed multiple times with a large pocketknife.

Justice in Caroline? Nope, just nolle prosequis. Part 6, the drug problem.

From CBS 6 (WTVR) in Richmond, Virginia (March 31, 2004): Caroline County Police Make Drug Arrests:

Caroline County authorities raided two homes, seizing the largest amount of cash in the county’s history. Two brothers are charged with possession and distribution of cocaine as a result of those raids just before five a-m on Saturday. Sheriff Tony Lippa says the cash at one location was approximately 48-thousand dollars in Ruther Glen. An additional 22-thousand dollars was seized at the residence in Bowling Green. Thirty-seven-year-old Dimitri Myers and his 31-year-old brother Corey are being held in the Pamunkey Regional jail on no bond. Lippa says this is the third time the pair have been charged with this offense. Authorities also seized marijuana, hash, heroin, crack cocaine and pills suspected to be ecstasy. Lippa says the investigation is ongoing and more charges are pending.

  • Dimitri Myers’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • August 8, 2006, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Possession of controlled substance.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of controlled substance.
    • April 5, 2002, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Driving under the influence.
    • February 22, 2002, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of marijuana.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possessing firearm with drugs.
      • Nolle prosequi – Convicted felon possessing firearm.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
    • September 10, 1998, Hanover County General District:
      • Guilty in absentia – Failure to wear seat belt.
    • April 24, 1998, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Driving on suspended license.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of scale.
      • Nolle prosequi – Obstruction of law enforcement
  • Corey Myers’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • September 29, 2004, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
    • June 8, 2004, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Guilty – Felony eluding.
      • Guilty – Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
      • Guilty – Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
      • Guilty – Possession of controlled substance.
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Guilty – Distribution of heroin.
      • Guilty – Felony possession of marijuana.
    • March 31, 2004, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
      • Nolle prosequi – Obstruction of justice.
      • Nolle prosequi – Defective equipment.
      • Nolle prosequi –  Reckless driving.
      • Nolle prosequi – Driving under the influence.
    • May 19, 2000, Caroline County General District:
      • Prepaid – Failure to stop at stop sign.
      • Guilty – No motorcycle operator’s license.
      • Guilty – 72/55 speeding.
    • October 31, 1997, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
      • Nolle prosequi – Driving under the influence.
    • May 23, 1997, Caroline County General District:
      • Prepaid – No county decal.
    • August 31, 1994, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Conspiracy to distribute cocaine.

From the AP via CBS 6 (WTVR) in Richmond, Virginia (January 3, 2005): Caroline County Family Drug Bust:

Authorities have a charged a Caroline County family on numerous drug charges and have seized drugs, their home and six vehicles in the process. Authorities raided the Stevens family home last week. They found crack cocaine, Ecstasy pills and three bags of heroin. Five members of the Stevens family, 57-year-old Irvin, 54-year-old Gloria, 26 year-old Saleem, 24-year-old Shane and 21-year-old Sherenda all face multiple counts off possession with intent to distribute cocaine, heroin and Ecstasy. Each of them also face firearms violations. Irvin and Gloria Stevens also face counts maintaining a common nuisance. The Stevens home was scene of a drug bust in July. Gloria Stevens has been released on 75-hundred dollars bond. The remaining family members are being held in the Pamunkey Regional Jail without bond.

  • Irvin Stevens’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • May 22, 2007, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty (appealing to Court of Appeals of Virginia) – Distribution of cocaine.
    • March 14, 2007, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
    • June 13, 2006, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
    • June 24, 2005, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of Schedule I/II drug.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of controlled substance.
      • Nolle prosequi – Conspiracy to violate Drug Control Act.
      • Nolle prosequi – Maintain common nuisance.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of controlled substance with firearm.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of heroin.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of ecstacy.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
    • September 24, 2004, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of Schedule I/II drug with intent to distribute.
      • Nolle prosequi – Maintain fortified drug house.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of Schedule I/II drug with intent to distribute.
  • Gloria Stevens’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • June 24, 2005, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Conspiracy to violate Drug Control Act.
      • Nolle prosequi – Maintain common nuisance.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of controlled substance with firearm.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of heroin.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of ecstacy.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
  • Saleem Stevens’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • July 10, 2007, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of controlled substance.
    • June 24, 2005, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of Schedule I/II drug.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of Schedule I/II drugs.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of controlled substance.
      • Nolle prosequi – Conspiracy to violate Drug Control Act.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of controlled substance with firearm.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of ecstacy.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of heroin.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
  • Shane Stevens’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • March 14, 2007, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of MDA.
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
    • June 13, 2006, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of MDMA.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of cocaine.
    • June 24, 2005, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Conspiracy to violate Drug Control Act.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
      • Nolle prosequi – Reckless driving.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of controlled substance.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of heroin.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of ecstacy.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of ecstacy.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of cocaine.
    • May 22, 2002, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
    • October 20, 1999, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Guilty – Brandishing firearm.
      • Guilty – Maiming.
    • September 3, 1999, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of firearm with drugs.
      • Nolle prosequi – Show cause – failure to comply with pretrial conditions.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
  • Sherenda Stevens’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • February 16, 2007, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Voluntary manslaughter.
    • May 19, 2006, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
      • Nolle prosequi – Maliciously shooting.
    • April 25, 2006, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Guilty – Possession of cocaine [knock back from distribution of cocaine].
      • Guilty – Possession of cocaine [knock back from distribution of cocaine].
    • June 24, 2005, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Conspiracy to violate Drug Control Act.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of ecstacy.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of heroin.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of controlled substance with firearm.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
    • December 10, 2004, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Possession of marijuana.
    • September 24, 2004, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of Schedule I/II drug with intent to distribute.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of Schedule I/II drug with intent to distribute.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of Schedule I/II drug with intent to distribute.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
    • October 26, 2001, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Maiming.
      • Guilty – Assault and battery.

Good one Harvey! She just ended up killing someone! Justice has been served in Caroline County!

From Caroline County, VA JUSTICE (January 24, 2006): Caroline Sheriff’s office strikes again!:

Search Warrant Executed/Arrests Made

According to Sheriff Tony Lippa, an ongoing criminal investigation of illegal drug activity led to the execution of a search warrant at 16020 Frances Ave. Milford, VA. Several Sheriff’s Office personnel were involved in the execution of the warrant to which the deputies found ½ ounce of powdered cocaine, 4-5 ounces of marijuana, digital scales, packaging materials, and U. S. currency.

The following arrests were made:

Name Age Address Charges

Edward Arrington

25

Milford, VA

Possession with the intent

To distribute Marijuana &

Cocaine

Joseph Hodge

26

Fredericksburg, VA

Possession of Marijuana

Possession of Cocaine

Billy Jackson

32

Fredericksburg, VA

Possession of Marijuana

The investigation was centered on drug activity which was reported to the Sheriff’s Office, “I am pleased with the information given to us by the concerned citizens of Caroline County and I want to thank them for their help which enhances our continued war on drugs in our community” stated Lippa.

This investigation is continuing.

  • Edward Arrington’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • May 23, 2007, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
    • October 10, 2006, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
    • March 10, 2006, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of Schedule I/II drug.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of marijuana.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
    • February 11, 2004, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Possession of drug paraphernalia [knock back from felony possession of cocaine].
      • Guilty – Possession of marijuana as an accommodation [knock back from felony distribution of marijuana].
    • May 23, 2003, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of a controlled substance.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of marijuana.
    • April 18, 2003, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Obscene display.
    • August 9, 2002, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Possession of marijuana.
    • November 9, 2001, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Obstruction of justice.
    • July 27, 2001, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Underage consumption.
    • March 4, 1999, Hanover General District:
      • Guilty – Underage possession of alcohol.

From Caroline County, VA JUSTICE (April 2, 2006): Sheriff Lippa’s TEAM nabs another of America’s most wanted!:

According to Sheriff Tony Lippa, on April 1st, 2006 at approximately 1:00 am, Deputy D. W. Mundie was patrolling the Carmel Church area when he observed a 1999 Toyota drive off Welcome Way Lane. As the Deputy activated his emergency equipment, a short pursuit followed as the driver attempted to elude the Deputy. The vehicle crashed on Jericho Road near Rt. 1. Sergeant Cary, Deputies Crowder, Dip, and Melson assisted Deputy Mundie in the apprehension of the driver. The driver was later flown to VCU Medical Center where he is recovering from non-fatal injuries. Upon his release, he will be transported to the Pamunkey Regional Jail.

The driver was later identified as Shane Christian Upright: 40 years of age with the last known Virginia address of 1815 Core Ave. # 3 Norfolk VA. He is believed to be a resident of Currituck County, NC.

On April 1, 2006, Deputy D. W. Mundie obtained warrants for the following charges against Shane Upright:

  1. Possession of Marijuana
  2. Possession of a Firearm after being a convicted felon
  3. Possession of a concealed weapon
  4. Felony attempt to Elude a police officer
  5. Reckless driving
  6. No Valid Operators License

Upright was driving a vehicle that was reported stolen from Virginia Beach, Virginia. Trooper Davis of the Virginia State Police is handling the crash along with the recovery of this vehicle, according to Sheriff Lippa.

The Caroline County Sheriff’s Office also served outstanding warrants from Virginia Beach, VA on Upright this morning for a robbery, malicious wounding, and being in possession of burglary tools.

“I am very proud of Deputy Mundie and credit him with excellent police work. Deputy Mundie’s, observations and initiative allowed him to capture a criminal who appears to be a suspect in other crimes that stem from assault by strangulation in Currituck County, North Carolina to a bank robbery in Allentown, Pennsylvania. It appears to me that Upright was looking to commit a crime in the Carmel Church area, but thanks to Deputy Mundie’s proactive approach the businesses and citizens of Caroline County were safe last night from this perpetrator.”

  • Shane Christian Upright’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • October 23, 2006, Virginia Beach Circuit:
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Violation of probation.
      • Guilty – Robbery.
      • Guilty – Grand larceny of a motor vehicle.
    • May 12, 2006, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Concealed weapon.
      • Guilty – Possession of stolen vehicle.
      • Guilty – Reckless driving.
      • Guilty – No driver’s license.
      • Nolle prosequi – Transport of firearm by felon.
      • Nolle prosequi – Eluding.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
    • October 29, 1996, Virginia Beach Circuit:
      • Guilty – Grand larceny.
      • Guilty – False pretense.

From WFLS News (May 8, 2006): Caroline’s drug bust:

A joint drug investigation in Caroline County leads to a total of 16 people arrested.

Sheriff Tony Lippa says after a almost a year of an undercover drug operation, a mass arrest of 14 adults and 2 juveniles started early this morning.

He says the illegal drug activity and suspects are scattered throughout the county.

Most of the perpetrators are charged with distribution of cocaine.

Lippa also says the investigation is still ongoing with more arrests possible.

Michael Acors, 26, Bowling Green

Edward Arrington, 25, Milford

Randall Capps, 21, Ruther Glen

Roger Carpenter, 38, Woodford

Phillip Jones, 47, Ruther Glen

Lewis “Buggy” Reynolds 47, King George

Jermaine Shepherd 27, Ruther Glen

Joseph Woolfolk, 47, Woodford

  • Michael Acors’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • February 5, 2007, Fredericksburg Circuit:
      • Guilty – Forgery.
      • Guilty – Obtain money by false pretenses.
      • Guilty – Uttering counterfeit check.
      • Guilty – Felony shoplifting.
    • February 2, 2007, Spotsylvania County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Forgery.
    • January 31, 2007, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Guilty – Forgery of check.
    • October 30, 2006, Hanover County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Forgery of check.
      • Guilty – Uttering of check.
    • October 24, 2006, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Nolle prosequi – Forgery of check.
      • Nolle prosequi – Uttering of check.
      • Nolle prosequi – Uttering of check.
      • Nolle prosequi – Uttering of check.
      • Nolle prosequi – Forgery of check.
    • April 3, 2006, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Guilty – Possession of marijuana.
      • Guilty – Failure to appear for trial.
      • Guilty – Driving while intoxicated.
    • March 19, 1998, Hanover County General District:
      • Guilty – Possession of marijuana.
    • October 10, 1997, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Larceny of bank note.
      • Guilty – Petit larceny.
      • Guilty – Petit larceny.
  • Edward Arrington’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • May 23, 2007, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
    • October 10, 2006, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.
    • March 10, 2006, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of Schedule I/II drug.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of marijuana.
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
    • February 11, 2004, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Possession of drug paraphernalia [knock back from felony possession of cocaine].
      • Guilty – Possession of marijuana as an accommodation [knock back from felony distribution of marijuana].
    • May 23, 2003, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of a controlled substance.
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of marijuana.
    • April 18, 2003, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Obscene display.
    • August 9, 2002, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Possession of marijuana.
    • November 9, 2001, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Obstruction of justice.
    • July 27, 2001, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Underage consumption.
    • March 4, 1999, Hanover General District:
      • Guilty – Underage possession of alcohol.
  • Randall Capps’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • November 14, 2006, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
    • November 5, 2003, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Own vicious dog.
      • Guilty – Allow dog to run at large.
  • Roger Carpenter’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • May 22, 2007, Spotsylvania General District:
      • Guilty – Possession of marijuana.
      • Guilty – Driving on suspended license.
    • January 31, 2007, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Manufacturing marijuana.
      • Guilty – Distribution of Schedule IV controlled substance.
    • October 26, 2006, Fredericksburg General District:
      • Guilty – Driving on suspended license.
      • Guilty – Failure to appear for arraignment.
    • August 8, 2006, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of Schedule III controlled substance.
    • October 5, 2005, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Nolle prosequi – Manufacturing marijuana.
      • Nolle prosequi – Manufacturing controlled substance.
    • May 17, 2001, Spotsylvania General District:
      • Guilty in absentia – Speeding 70/55.
      • Guilty in absentia – Safety belt violation.
    • February 4, 1999, Stafford County General District:
      • Guilty – Bad Check $185.10.
    • June 29, 1998, Spotsylvania General District:
      • Guilty in absentia – Driving on suspended operator’s license.
      • Guilty in absentia – Reckless driving: 75/55
      • Guilty in absentia – No valid state inspection.
    • September 3, 1997, Stafford County General District:
      • Guilty – Petty [sic] larceny.
  • Phillip Jones’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • July 25, 2006, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Possession of cocaine [knock back from distribution of cocaine].
    • November 23, 2004, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Guilty in absentia – Operating uninspected vehicle.
    • August 22, 2003, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Possession of marijuana.
    • December 5, 1997, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Failure to stop at accident.
  • Lewis Reynolds’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • June 18, 2007, Spotsylvania County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Habitual offender.
      • Guilty – Obstruction of justice.
    • April 10, 2007, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
    • February 15, 2007, Fredericksburg General District:
      • Guilty – Failure to appear.
      • Guilty – Unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.
    • September 8, 2006, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Habitual offender second offense.
    • May 12, 2006, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Failure to appear – habitual offender.
    • August 12, 2005, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Assault and battery.
    • July 26, 2005, Spotsylvania County Circuit:
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
    • March 21, 2003, Spotsylvania County Circuit:
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
    • October 9, 2002, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
    • August 13, 2002, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Habitual offender [knock back from felony habitual offender violation].
    • June 21, 2002, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Improper registration.
    • February 28, 2001, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
    • November 20, 2000, Spotsylvania County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Habitual offender.
    • August 25, 2000, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Guilty – Shoplifting.
      • Guilty – Failure to appear for trial.
    • November 7, 1998, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
    • August 14, 1998, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Driving after declared habitual offender.
      • Guilty – Attempt to elude.
      • Guilty – Reckless driving.
      • Guilty – Uninsured vehicle.
      • Guilty – No inspection.
      • Guilty – Seat belt violation.
      • Guilty – No registration.
    • June 24, 1998, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Nolle prosequi – Distribution of cocaine.
    • December 3, 1997, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Possession of cocaine.
    • November 14, 1997, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Grand larceny.
    • October 15, 1997, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Unauthorized use of a vehicle.
      • Nolle prosequi – Petit larceny.
    • August 1, 1997, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Habitual offender violation [knock back from felony habitual offender violation].
      • Guilty – Habitual offender violation [knock back from felony habitual offender violation].
    • January 17, 1997, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Abduction.
      • Nolle prosequi – Rape.
      • Nolle prosequi – Sodomy.
  • Jermaine Shepherd’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • May 2, 2007, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Distribution of cocaine.
    • March 23, 2005, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Driving on revoked license.
    • December 17, 2004, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Service by fraud.
    • November 12, 2004, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Assault and battery.
    • August 15, 2003, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Maiming.
    • January 7, 2000, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Attempted eluding.
      • Nolle prosequi – Underage possession of alcohol.
      • Guilty – Concealed weapon.
      • Guilty – Underage consumption of alcohol.
      • Guilty – Reckless driving.
      • Guilty – Driving on suspender operator’s license.
    • April 23, 1999, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Maiming.
    • November 24, 1998, Fredericksburg General District:
      • Guilty in absentia – Possession of marijuana.
    • November 4, 1998, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Assault and battery.
    • January 6, 1998, Stafford County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Possession of cocaine.
    • October 31, 1997, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Drunk in public.
    • September 26, 1997, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Assume another’s name.
  • Joseph Woolfolk’s partial criminal history (felonies in bold, nolle prosequi by Harvey Latney in italics):
    • September 26, 2006, Spotsylvania County Circuit:
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
    • July 11, 2006, Caroline County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Possession of cocaine [knock back from distribution of cocaine].
    • June 28, 2006, Caroline County General District:
      • Prepaid – Improper display of plates.
      • Prepaid – Failure to carry registration card.
      • Prepaid – Failure to obtain title.
    • April 14, 2006, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – No operator’s license.
      • Guilty – Failure to obtain registration.
      • Guilty – Operating uninsured vehicle.
    • November 22, 2005, Spotsylvania County Circuit:
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
      • Revoked suspended sentence/probation – Show cause.
    • May 18, 2005, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty in absentia – Operating vehicle with expired rejection sticker.
      • Guilty in absentia – Driving without lights.
      • Guilty in absentia – No registration card in possession.
    • April 27, 2005, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty in absentia – Operating uninspected vehicle.
      • Guilty in absentia – Defective equipment.
      • Guilty in absentia – Defective equipment.
    • April 13, 2005, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Improper registration or license.
      • Guilty – Improper use of inspection sticker.
      • Guilty – Defective equipment.
      • Guilty – Knowingly operating uninsured vehicle.
    • March 10, 2005, Spotsylvania County Circuit:
      • Guilty – Contributing to the delinquency of a minor.
      • Guilty – Uttering.
    • July 23, 2004, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Utter bad check.
    • September 4, 2003, Spotsylvania County General District:
      • Guilty in absentia – Failure to obey highway sign.
    • July 7, 2000, Caroline County General District:
      • Nolle prosequi – Maliciously wounding.
    • April 23, 1999, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Failure to display license.
    • April 24, 1997, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Drunk in public.
    • January 21, 1997, Caroline County General District:
      • Guilty – Hunting without a license.

More defense attorneys love Harvey Latney…

I wonder why…no, wait, I don’t.

Here’s the list, with a link to the complete PDF at the bottom:

Name: Law Firm Amount of Contribution Certified Court-Appointed Attorney for Caroline County?
Russell Eubank Booker Unknown $500 Yes.
Bowen, Champlin, Corr, Foreman and Rockecharlie Bowen, Champlin, Carr, Foreman and Rockecharlie $500 Yes.
Ramon Chalkley Law Office of R. E. Chalkley, III (formerly of Murphy & Strickland) $100 Yes.
Brian Grossman Crowgey & Grossman $250 No.
Harrison Hubard Hubard, Samuels, & Lewane $100 No.
George Hettrich Unknown $100 No.
Murray Janus Bremner, Janus, Cook, Marcus & Stone $100 No.
Kristie Kane Kristie L. Kane, PLC $100 Yes.
Jean Marie McKeen Tomlin & McKeen $500 Yes.
John Leo Mahoney John L Mahoney, Att-at-Law $500 Yes.
ParisBlank, LLP ParisBlank, LLP $250 No.
James F. Sumpter James F. Sumpter, PC $100 Yes.

$3,100 more from defense attorneys! You’re in fine company there Maxie!

Listen to this gem from Crowgey & [Brian] Grossman’s site:

We believe it is wrong to punish conduct which injures no one and poses no threat to society.

Unfortunately, until the law changes there will continue to be situations where otherwise innocent people find themselves ensnared in the clutches of the legal system facing potentially serious consequences. If you have fallen into such a predicament then you may need the services of an experienced lawyer to help you out of a bad situation

Apparently, this includes drug offenses, drunk driving, traffic accidents, reckless driving, and habitual offender violations according to his own website!

Some information on Murray Janus, from Virginia Business: Top Criminal Defense Lawyer:

When Janus recounts his most significant cases, he points to losses more than wins. It’s all about guts and good lawyering, even though those aren’t always enough to acquit a defendant. In the mid-70s, when the toxic chemical Kepone was dumped in the James River and virtually destroyed the Virginia seafood industry, Allied Chemical hired Janus. In the cases he tried, Allied was acquitted. Janus was champing at the bit to maintain the defense. But awash in a tsunami of bad publicity and facing a growing number of indictments, the client insisted on a plea of no contest to two charges of criminal pollution. The admission led to a $13 million fine, the highest ever awarded in an environmental case in America at the time. In the mid-80s, when the great-grandson of Reynolds Metals’ founder was charged with the violent rapes of three Richmond women, Janus was at the defense table. His client went to jail. But the case epitomized Janus’ reputation for not shying away from a reviled defendant.

Every defense attorney knows that some losses are as good as a win. In 1978, when a half-dozen elected officials were convicted of bribery-related charges and ejected from U.S. Congress in the history-making ABSCAM trials, Janus got the bagman in the case a minimal sentence of a year and a day. Not a win, but not the loss it could’ve been.

Tomlin & [Jean Marie] McKeen refers to themselves as a “DWI Law Firm”.

Oh, and by the way, Ramon Chalkley was also an attorney for Donna Blanton during her first trial and subsequent appeal.

pdficon_small PDF of the complete report.

Dammit, maybe next time…

From the AP via WTOP: Court Stops Va. Execution:

The Supreme Court on Wednesday halted Virginia’s planned execution of a man who murdered a co-worker.

Virginia had prepared to execute Christopher Scott Emmett, 36, even as several other states stopped executions after the high court agreed to review claims that the method of death is unconstitutionally cruel.

Emmett had been scheduled to be put to death Wednesday night at the Greensville Correctional Center in Jarratt, Va., for the 2001 bludgeoning murder of a co-worker, John Fenton Langley.

The stay granted by the court will last until a Richmond, Va.-based federal appeals court takes another look at the case. The justices did not comment further on their order.

Hoping for perfect execution…

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Killer Emmett’s latest appeal denied:

Unless the U.S. Supreme Court grants a stay or Gov. Timothy M. Kaine steps in a second time, Christopher Scott Emmett will die by lethal injection tomorrow night.

Emmett won a reprieve in June two hours before he was to be executed when Kaine delayed it until Oct. 17 to give the U.S. Supreme Court a chance to consider hearing his appeal. The justices declined.

However, on Sept. 25, the high court agreed to hear challenges to the constitutionality of lethal-injection procedures in Kentucky, procedures similar to those used in Virginia and other states that use lethal injection.

There was an execution in Texas on Sept. 25 but none in the U.S. since.

Yesterday, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected Emmett’s request for a stay. But another federal appeals court stayed an execution set for today in Arkansas. And an execution scheduled for last night in Nevada was halted by the Nevada Supreme Court 90 minutes before it was to take place, according to The Associated Press.

Emmett’s lawyers are asking the U.S. Supreme Court and Kaine to stop the execution until the high court rules on whether lethal injection constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.

In papers filed yesterday, the Virginia attorney general’s office urged the justices to reject the request for a stay, arguing it was foot-dragging. Emmett, the state says, never challenged his method of execution during his trial or in prior appeals.

Kevin Hall, a Kaine spokesman, said yesterday that “we’re closely monitoring court activity, and the governor is still weighing the updated clemency requests from Emmett’s attorneys.”

Emmett was sentenced to die for the April 2001 slaying of John F. Langley, 43, of Roanoke Rapids, N.C. The two men worked for a roofing company in Roanoke Rapids and were staying in a Danville motel during a project. Emmett beat Langley to death with a brass lamp for drug money.

In addition to asking Kaine for a reprieve, Emmett’s lawyers also asked him to order an administrative review of the state’s current lethal-injection protocol. Kaine opposes capital punishment but has said he believes lethal injection is constitutional.

Richard Dieter, director of the Death Penalty Information Center, said he believes condemned inmates seeking reprieves until the Supreme Court rules will be successful.

Uh, where’s a quote from people that support the death penalty since you want to get quotes from people that oppose the death penalty?

If executed, Emmett would be the 99th person put to death in Virginia — 70 by lethal injection — since capital punishment was allowed to resume in 1976.

"Bungled"? Nay, I say perfectly executed…

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Va. execution in ’06 bungled, attorneys say:

Virginia bungled a lethal injection last year, leading to a prolonged execution, lawyers for condemned killer Christopher Scott Emmett contend in an appeal to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Emmett is facing execution Wednesday night for the April 2001 slaying of John F. Langley, 43, of Roanoke Rapids, N.C., a co-worker he beat to death with a brass lamp for drug money.

Among other things, Emmett’s lawyers say the executioners of John Yancey Schmitt on Nov. 9 administered the lethal combination of drugs twice. It took 13 minutes for him to die, longer than the other 70 lethal injections performed in Virginia.

[…]

Matthew Engle, one of Emmett’s lawyers, said that because the inmates die and because of the masking effect of one of the drugs, inmates can appear calm and serene even if they are suffering.

“It’s impossible to prove” under the circumstances, he said.

Let’s me provide you with some context about these two pieces of excrement; first, John Yancey Schmitt (from John Yancey Schmitt v. Commonwealth of Virginia, June 8, 2001) [emphasis mine throughout]:

Schmitt was indicted for capital murder based on the willful, deliberate, and premeditated killing of Earl Shelton Dunning during the commission of a robbery, in violation of Code § 18.2-31(4). Schmitt also was indicted for armed entry of a bank with the intent to commit larceny, in violation of Code § 18.2-93; two counts of robbery, in violation of Code § 18.2-58; and three counts of use of a firearm, in violation of Code § 18.2-53.1.

In the first stage of a bifurcated trial conducted under Code § 19.2-264.3, a jury convicted Schmitt of all the offenses charged. In the penalty phase of the trial, the jury fixed his punishment for capital murder at death based on a finding of “future dangerousness,” and for the other offenses at imprisonment for a total of 118 years. The trial court sentenced Schmitt in accordance with the jury verdict.

[…]

On February 17, 1999, Earl Shelton Dunning was shot and killed while working as a security guard at the Bon Air branch of NationsBank (the bank) on Buford Road in Chesterfield County. About a month before Dunning was killed, Schmitt had robbed this same bank and, after that robbery, the bank had hired Dunning to work as a security guard.

Shortly after 1:00 p.m. on February 17, 1999, a man entered the bank wearing dark sunglasses and a bulky jacket. He kept his head lowered and appeared to scan the interior of the bank. Bank manager Sara Parker-Orr testified that she was “nervous” about this man because he was wearing sunglasses inside the bank on a “really cloudy day.” Dunning was outside the bank and, after the man went inside, Dunning entered the bank and walked across the lobby to stand at the end of the “teller line” in which customers were waiting.

The man stood in the teller line behind several customers. Parker-Orr watched him leave his place in line and walk toward Dunning. When the man was within “a foot or so” of Dunning, Parker-Orr heard two gunshots and then heard someone scream, “[G]et down, get down.”

The man next approached Parker-Orr’s teller window and banged on the counter yelling, “Money, give me money,” and “[I]f I don’t get money, I’m going to kill everybody.” Parker-Orr opened her cash drawer and threw money into a black plastic bag that the robber was holding.

The robber continued to bang on the counter demanding “more money.” He announced that he would give the tellers “ten seconds” to give him more money, and began counting backward from the number “ten.” By the time he reached “nine,” teller Marlene Austin was “throwing money in the bag.” Parker-Orr also gave him money from a third teller’s drawer. When she told the robber that she had no more money to give him, the robber left the bank.

The bank’s security camera system recorded photographs of Schmitt approaching the end of the teller counter and standing at a teller window holding a bag and pointing a gun. None of the witnesses who testified at trial saw the actual shooting of Dunning, and the shooting was not recorded by the bank’s security camera system. However, Parker-Orr, Austin, and Kelli Konstaitis, another teller, all identified a photograph of Schmitt recorded by the bank’s security camera system as depicting the man who robbed the bank that day.

After Schmitt left the bank, witnesses telephoned the “911” emergency response number and attended to Dunning, who was lying on the floor. By the time emergency medical personnel arrived, Dunning was dead. The witnesses in the bank testified that they did not touch or see anyone else touch Dunning’s gun or its holster. Dunning’s gun was found in its holster, which was closed and snapped.

An autopsy revealed that Dunning was killed as a result of a gunshot wound to his chest. The bullet entered the right side of Dunning’s chest, causing significant injuries to the aorta, and exited from the right side of his back.

[…]

During the penalty phase of the trial, the Commonwealth presented evidence of Schmitt’s criminal record. Between 1992 and 1996, Schmitt was convicted twice of possession of marijuana with the intent to distribute, and also had convictions of receiving stolen property, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of marijuana. Schmitt was on probation for some of these offenses at the time of the capital murder and robbery. He had failed to keep the conditions of his probation requiring him to have regular drug tests and to meet with his probation officer and, as a result, a capias had been issued for his arrest prior to both bank robberies.

In the earlier robbery of the bank on January 19, 1999, Schmitt and another man had stolen over $65,000. Schmitt was armed with a sawed-off shotgun in that robbery. The Commonwealth presented evidence that before the first robbery, police were called to investigate an argument between Schmitt and a girlfriend involving a shotgun, and that Schmitt had “sawed off” the barrel of the gun the night before the first bank robbery.

The Commonwealth also presented evidence of a tape recording of a telephone conversation between Schmitt and a friend in which Schmitt described the present offenses. In addition, the Commonwealth introduced evidence of the “drug dealer lifestyle” that Schmitt had been leading in the months before he committed the present offenses.

The Commonwealth presented testimony from Dunning’s family and friends concerning the impact of Dunning’s murder on them. Dunning’s mother and brother testified that in January 1999, a month before his murder, Dunning had retired from the United States Army after over 20 years of service, and that he had received many commendations honoring his bravery and leadership while in military service. The Commonwealth also presented testimony that Dunning had three children and that he had planned to marry in March 1999. Several bank employees testified that during the few weeks that Dunning worked at the bank, he had developed close relationships with his fellow employees that demonstrated extraordinary thoughtfulness and generosity.

So, Mr. Engle, how much suffering did Earl Dunning and his family experience?

And now, more about Christopher Scott Emmett (from Christopher Scott Emmett v. Commonwealth of Virginia, September 13, 2002) [emphasis mine]:

In a bifurcated trial conducted pursuant to Code § 19.2-264.3, a jury convicted Christopher Scott Emmett of the capital murder of John Fenton Langley in the commission of robbery, Code § 18.2-31(4), and fixed Emmett’s punishment at death.

Weldon Roofing Company employed Emmett and Langley as laborers for its roofing crews. During late April 2001, both men were assigned to a project in the City of Danville and shared a room at a local motel where the roofing crew was staying. On the evening of April 26, 2001, Emmett, Langley, Michael Darryl Pittman, and other members of the roofing crew cooked dinner on a grill at the motel, played cards, and drank beer. During the course of the evening, Langley loaned money to Emmett and Pittman, who used the money to buy crack cocaine.

At approximately 11:00 p.m. that evening, Rainey Bell, another member of the roofing crew, heard a noise he described as “bang, bang” coming from the room Emmett and Langley shared. Shortly after midnight, Emmett went to the motel office and asked the clerk to call the police, saying that he had returned to his room, “seen blood and stuff . . . and didn’t know what had took place.”

The police arrived at the motel at 12:46 a.m. on April 27, 2001 and accompanied Emmett back to his room. There they discovered Langley’s dead body lying face down on Langley’s bed beneath a comforter. Blood spatters were found on the sheets and headboard of Langley’s bed, on the wall behind it, and on the wall between the bathroom and Emmett’s bed. A damaged brass lamp stained with Langley’s blood was discovered beneath Langley’s bed.

In his initial statement to police, Emmett denied killing Langley. He stated that he had returned to the room and gone to bed. Emmett claimed to have discovered the blood and Langley’s body later that night when he got up to use the bathroom. Observing what appeared to be bloodstains on Emmett’s personal effects, the police took possession of Emmett’s boots and clothing with his permission. Emmett suggested that the blood might be his own because he had injured himself earlier in the week. Subsequent testing, however, revealed that Emmett’s boots and clothing were stained with Langley’s blood.

[…]

He first implicated Pittman as Langley’s murderer, but ultimately Emmett told the police that he alone had beaten Langley to death with the brass lamp.

Emmett was given Miranda warnings and he gave a full, taped confession. Emmett stated that he and Pittman decided to rob Langley after Langley refused to loan them more money to buy additional cocaine. Emmett stated that he struck Langley five or six times with the brass lamp, took Langley’s wallet, and left the motel to buy cocaine.

[…]

In addition, the Commonwealth presented evidence from the medical examiner that based upon the amount of blood and bruising of the victim’s brain tissue at the point of impact, Langley was not killed immediately by the first blow from the lamp. The medical examiner conceded, however, that Langley might have been unconscious after the first blow was struck and may have suffered “brain death” prior to actual death.

After the jury convicted Emmett of capital murder and robbery, during the penalty-determination phase of the trial, the Commonwealth presented evidence of Emmett’s prior criminal history. This evidence included an account of an instance in which, while incarcerated in a maximum-security juvenile detention facility, Emmett participated in an escape that involved a guard being “rushed” and locked in a closet. In addition, the criminal history evidence showed that while driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, Emmett was involved in an accident in which the driver of a motorcycle was killed in 1996. After the accident Emmett said “that there was no need to worry about the man on the motorcycle. He was already dead, and that [Emmett] could do nothing to help him.” Emmett was convicted of involuntary manslaughter.

[…]

Indeed, Emmett himself confessed that he killed Langley simply because it “just seemed right at the time.”

Again, Mr. Engle, how much suffering did John Langley experience while his head was smashed in with a brass lamp? How about the motorcycle rider that had already been killed by your client?

If only your client receives the same amount of suffering as his victims and their families have received.

Oh, I’m going to blush, Part 2

From The Free Lance-Star: Court opponents help support Latney’s race:

Defense attorney Ed Vaughan donated $500 to Caroline County Commonwealth’s Attorney Harvey Latney’s re-election campaign and plans to help Latney out of a bind in his private practice.

Vaughan was one of eight local attorneys or firms who donated to Latney’s campaign. Overall, defense attorneys gave $4,750 of the $5,000 Latney raised over the summer.

The only donor listed on the report who was not a defense attorney was Supervisor Maxie Rozell.

“Anybody who gave Harvey Latney money did so without expectation,” Vaughan said.

All of the attorneys who donated to the campaign have had at least one case in Caroline County in the last six months.

But Latney said money made no difference in how he handled the cases.

“No one is getting any special treatment just because they think I’m the best person for the job,” he said. “These are people who believe in me and believe I’ve done a great job.”

Uh, because you let their clients off?

A review of Caroline Circuit Court cases over the past six months shows a majority of those that involved donating attorneys were reduced, dropped or nol prossed (dismissed with the potential to bring the charge back at a later date).

But so were most of the cases involving attorneys who did not contribute to Latney’s campaign.

And the largest donor was Mark Murphy, who defended Donna Blanton in the slaying of her husband. Latney won a murder conviction in that case, but an appeals court ordered a new trial because of the jury selection.

Tony Spencer, a former Richmond prosecutor opposing Latney in the incumbent’s first contested election in 30 years in office, did not have any donations listed from defense attorneys on his most recent campaign finance report.

Spencer said he doesn’t think contributing attorneys got preferential treatment in Caroline. But he said the high number of dismissals and reductions in charges are a concern.

“With Mr. Latney in office, Caroline County is a defense attorney’s paradise,” he said. “If I were a defense attorney practicing in Caroline County, I’d contribute to Harvey Latney.”

A Richmond attorney who donated $250 to Latney’s election campaign said he did so because he thinks the Caroline justice system is fair and works well.

“I donated to him to maintain status quo,” said John LaFratta, who often works as a court appointed attorney in Caroline. “If I thought he gave preferential treatment, I wouldn’t practice in that court.”

The status quo that all the criminals get off?

Bill Neely, commonwealth’s attorney for neighboring Spotsylvania County, said it is not unusual for defense attorneys to donate to a prosecutor’s campaign.

“You have to raise money where you can,” Neely said.

Though Neely is unopposed this year, he said he sought funds from defense attorneys when he faced challengers in the past.

“I sent solicitations to every member of the bar,” he said.

Vaughan said he thinks the reason the majority of Latney’s campaign funds come from attorneys is because those are the people he sees regularly.

“You look for money from your friends,” Vaughan said. “And his friends happen to be defense attorneys.”

Vaughan also said he plans to give to a fund for Latney’s private law practice because, “You hope people do the right thing in the time of need.”

Latney owes clients about $300,000 for money missing from their estate accounts he was managing in his Richmond-based practice.

His secretary of 27 years, Sheila Boone, is charged with theft. Although Latney is not suspected to be at fault criminally, he is held responsible for repayment. His insurance carrier has refused to cover the loss.

Craig Cooley, a Richmond defense attorney, said he set up the fund and sent a letter soliciting donations because Latney “is not a high-income person but is a very high-integrity person.”

“He was victimized by a trusted employee,” Cooley said. “It could happen to any of us.”

Cooley also said he felt the fundraiser would have no effect on treatment in Caroline courts.

The only client Cooley has represented in Caroline Circuit Court was John Ames, who was charged with killing his neighbor in a dispute over a bull. Ames pleaded self-defense and was acquitted after a trial.

Cooley would not say how many people he sent the letter to, how many have donated or how much money has been raised.

Why not? Scared of what might come out if you released the information?

He said he doesn’t plan to try any more cases in Caroline anytime soon.

"’That’s to the point of absurdity that anybody would think that’ a campaign contribution would affect the way a case is handled."

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Wife may request outside jury for her retrial:

An attorney for Donna L. Blanton appears to be laying the groundwork to ask that a jury from outside Caroline County hear her retrial for the slaying of her husband.

Defense attorney Mark Murphy requested subpoenas be issued to about 25 television stations and newspapers, including The Times-Dispatch. The subpoenas seek copies of articles and broadcasts about the case, a common precursor to trying to persuade a judge that extensive publicity would make it difficult to seat a jury from within the locality where a crime occurred.

Murphy declined to say yesterday whether he plans to file a motion seeking either to move Blanton’s upcoming trial from Caroline or to bring in jurors from outside the county.

Donna Blanton, 42, is scheduled to be tried again starting Nov. 29 in Caroline Circuit Court for the October 2003 slaying of Virginia State Police 1st Sgt. Taylor V. Blanton.

Blanton was convicted of first-degree murder in 2005 and was sentenced to 28 years in prison. But the Virginia Court of Appeals ruled in April that gender wrongly played a role in how Caroline Commonwealth’s Attorney Harvey Latney Jr. selected potential jurors.

Blanton, who did not testify during her trial, maintained that an unidentified man broke into the couple’s home, shot her husband in bed and fled.

She is being held at the Pamunkey Regional Jail in Hanover County.

Interesting that Mark Murphy has already contributed $1,500 to Harvey Latney’s campaign fund.

I’m absolutely certain he wasn’t thinking he would get special treatment…