Day: January 22, 2008

UPDATED: Charges against Lashawn Monroe certified

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Murder charge certified against Caroline man:

Felony charges were certified today to a Caroline County grand jury against Lashawn Monroe in the November slaying of Raquel Hunter.

Hunter’s body was found about 11 p.m. Nov. 10 on the ground outside the Madison Ruritan Club hall in Ladysmith. The hall had been rented for a birthday party for another teen.

Monroe, 22, is charged with murder and illegal use of a firearm.

Next stop: Grand jury.

Not sure if the charges will go to the special grand jury (not sure it has been formed yet) or if they will have to wait until April for the regular grand jury.

UPDATE: Richmond Times-Dispatch: Caroline murder trial advances:

A Ruther Glen man accused of killing a 16-year-old outside a birthday party on the night of November 10 had a murder charge against him certified by a judge to a grand jury today.

Lashawn Montque Monroe, 22, is charged in the death of Raquel (pronounced Rockwell) Tremain Hunter, 16, after a fight at the party at the Madison Ruritan Club in Ladysmith..

Party crashers, including Monroe, were ejected from the party, according to testimony in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court today. A melee ensued and the shooting took place about 11 p.m. in the Ruritan Club parking lot.

Javon Edwards, 18, testified that he saw “a big pile of people on top of each other,” including Hunter. He said he helped separate the fighters and noticed that Hunter “swung at somebody.”

He said he was standing next to Hunter when he heard a gunshot and saw a flash between Hunter and Monroe — and then watched Hunter slump to the ground.

Queried by Caroline County Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael M. Weise and defense attorney John L. Mahoney, Edwards said he could not say who fired the shot.

“The flash came from the front of who?” Weise asked Edwards.

“The defendant,” Edwards said.

Detective Travis Nutter testified when he began interviewing Monroe a few hours later, Monroe denied having a gun. Later, said Nutter, Monroe admitted that he took a handgun to the party and fired it.

Nutter testified that Monroe told him he saw a “friend and someone else in a confrontation” outside the Ruritan building and when he heard a shot, “he pulled his gun out and shot as he was running away.”

A state medical examiner, Shane Chittenden, testified that Hunter’s body bore three bullet wounds.

Mother charged in Bowling Green Primary School gun incident

From The Free Lance-Star: Mother charged in school gun case:

The mother of a 4-year-old Bowling Green Primary School student who authorities said brought a gun to school last week, was charged Saturday.

Caroline County Sheriff Tony Lippa said the woman, who was not named to protect the identity of her child, was charged with recklessly leaving a firearm so as to endanger a child under the age of 14, which is a class 3 misdemeanor.

Lippa said the mother told police she kept the gun loaded and in plain sight for protection for the child and herself.

He said a lesson should be learned from the incident and parents should remember to separate ammo and guns and to get gun locks, which are free at the Sheriff’s Office, for their guns.

He said however, that he understands there’s a tradeoff for those who want their gun for immediate use, such as protection, as in this case.

Lippa said he was not sure whether the woman would face any additional charges, but he said she will go to court on at least the one charge Feb. 26. She was charged in a summons.

The loaded pistol was found in the boy’s possession last Thursday when a fellow student spotted it and told a teacher.

The police were then called, the report taken and the gun confiscated, according to previous police reports.

Lippa said it’s important to remember and be thankful that no one was hurt.

“We avoided a tragedy,” he said.

“BeBe” Goes to Jail

That’s a reference to Ernest Goes to Jail in case you didn’t get that…

From The Free Lance-Star: Man, 19, held in slaying:

A man wanted for a Jan. 12 slaying at a Fredericksburg nightspot was captured early yesterday in Westmoreland County.

Brandon Lee Smith, 19, was taken into custody without incident shortly before 2 a.m. at a home just outside Colonial Beach, police said.

Smith is charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of 30-year-old Dasan Ka’Wila Richardson.

Richardson was working as a bouncer at Mi Casa Restaurant in Central Park when he was shot twice in the chest with a .45-caliber gun during an altercation involving Smith and others, police said.

Fredericksburg police quickly identified and charged Smith in the slaying, but were unable to find him until yesterday.

Police said that Smith, also known as “BeBe,” is a member of the gang “Pound Property,” a gang which operates primarily in Colonial Beach, King George and Westmoreland.

Details regarding what led to Smith’s apprehension were sketchy yesterday, but city Lt. Eddie Delano said the key tip regarding Smith’s whereabouts was received by the Colonial Beach Police Department.

I guess some of your boys aren’t too happy with you.

Beach police and Westmoreland deputies later went to the house and surrounded the residence. Smith walked out and gave himself up.

He was later turned over to Fredericksburg detectives and is being held without bond in the Rappahannock Regional Jail.

According to police, Richardson was working for a promoter who had rented Mi Casa for a “hip-hop” event.

Shortly after 1 a.m. that morning, Smith was forcibly removed from the building because he is underage and because event sponsors recognized him as someone who had caused problems at prior events.

Court records state that Smith returned five to seven minutes later with several other associates and got into a fight with bouncers.

Richardson was shot at point-blank range.

Smith also has drug trials pending next month in Fredericksburg Circuit Court.

Another Busy Week: Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending January 19, 2008

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office: Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending January 19, 2008:

On January 14, 2008, Deputy C. M. Polliard responded to a break in at an apartment in Bowling Green. After investigating, Antoine T. Johnson, 18, of no fixed address, was charged with breaking and entering and possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. He was ordered held under a $2,000 bond and an arraignment date of January 15, 2008 was set.

On January 15, 2008, Deputy C. M. Polliard stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Cornelius Jones, 36, of Woodford was charged with felony driving after being declared an habitual offender. Also charged with driving under the influence was William T. Jones, 59, of Woodford. He was released on his own recognizance and a court date for both was set for January 16, 2008.

On January 15, 2008, Deputy K. H. Eichenmiller responded to a Ruther glen address for a report of a larceny. After investigating, a warrant for felony larceny was obtained for Phillip O. Harris, 32, of Ruther Glen. The warrant was served on January 17, 2008. Harris’ court date and bond amount were not available.

On January 17, 2008, Lt. K. L. Chatman was called to a primary school in the county for a weapons violation report. After investigating, a juvenile was found to have brought a weapon to school. The parent of the juvenile was charged with recklessly leaving a firearm so as to endanger a child under the age of 14. The parent was released on a summons and a court date of February 26, 2008 was set.

On January 18, 2008, Deputy M. A. Dip responded to a report of trespassers in Port Royal. After investigating, Tonya T. Deloach, 32 and Warren V. Deloach, 44, both of Port Royal, were each charged with driving under the influence and refusal to submit to a breath test. Both were released on their own recognizance and arraignment for both was scheduled for February 1, 2008.

On January 18, 2008, Deputy M. M. Ellett stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Charles L. McGhee, 42, of Hanover was charged with driving while his license is suspended – 3rd or subsequent offense. He was ordered held on a $1,000 bond and an arraignment date of January 27, 2008 was set.

On January 18, 2008, Deputy S. Mullane encountered a vehicle in Carmel Church. After investigating, Amber E. McBrayer, 27, of Ruther Glen was charged with driving while her driver’s license is suspended – 4th offense. She was ordered held on a $1,000 bond. Also charged was Rufus A. Davis, 31, of Carmel Church. Davis had 2 outstanding failure to appear warrants. He was ordered held without bond. A court date of January 23, 2008 was set for both.

On January 18, 2008, Deputy C. M. Polliard stopped a vehicle in Penola for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Murphy C. Fountain, 46, of Ruther Glen was charged with driving under the influence. He was released on a personal recognizance bond and a court date of February 3, 2008 was set.

On January 19, 2008, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge and Sgt. C. A. Rozell responded to a disturbance at a business in Ladysmith. After investigating, Gotardo F. Miguel, 19, of Mineral was charged with being drunk in public and underage possession of alcohol. Also charged with being drunk in public was Rueben Hernandez, 30, of Mineral. Both were released on personal recognizance bonds and arraignment dates of February 29, 2008 were set for both.

On January 19, 2008, Deputy M .M. Ellett stopped a vehicle in Dawn for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Anthony W. Goff, 36, of Leander, TX was charged with driving under the influence. He was ordered held on a $1,000 bond and an arraignment date of February 22, 2008 was set.

On January 19, 2008, Deputy C. A. Heywood stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Robert A. Columbus, 33, of Woodford was charged with driving under the influence and refusal to submit to a breath test. He was released on his own recognizance and an arraignment date of February 1, 2008 was set.