Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Bond Revoked In Porn Case

Defense Set To Appeal Monday’s Ruling

The South Boston man facing 54 felony charges related to the production and possession of child pornography will remain in jail until his trial, a Halifax County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court judge ruled Monday.
David K. Tetterton, 40, of Wilkerson Street, was arrested Friday as he was leaving the South Boston Wal-Mart, where police say he allegedly downloaded and printed pornographic photos of children.
Tetterton was charged with 27 counts of the alleged production of child pornography and 27 counts of the alleged possession of child pornography, according to warrants issued in the case. He was released Saturday morning after posting $50,000 bond.
During a bond revocation hearing Monday, substitute judge Carol Gravitt revoked the bond after being presented with some of the prosecution’s evidence.
“There’s no question that this is child pornography,” the judge said after seeing photos seized by police at the Centerville store. “And I’m gravely concerned about (hair seized during a subsequent search of Tetterton’s home). I’m going to revoke the bond.”
After being confronted by police at the store, Tetterton denied any wrongdoing, prosecutor Gene Fishel of the Virginia Attorney General’s computer crime unit said.
“(Tetterton) was picked up Friday at the Wal-Mart after investigators witnessed the defendant download and print child pornography,” he said. “On his person, there were several images of child pornography found.”
Search Warrant Execution
After showing Gravitt and defense attorney George Bagwell the photos confiscated at the South Boston retailer, Fishel described a subsequent search of Tetterton’s residence and the evidence allegedly discovered at the home.
The prosecutor, who is assisting Commonwealth’s Attorney Kim White in prosecuting the case, said an “astounding” amount of evidence was seized at the home.
“To put this into context, the South Boston Police Department had five investigators who spent seven hours in one bedroom,” the state prosecutor said.
Fishel said investigators filled six bins with computer discs that they believe contain “literally thousands” of photos.
“Some of the discs were labeled ‘boy pics’ and ‘teen boy pictures,’” he said.
The prosecutor said investigators are still sifting through all of the photos seized by law enforcement.
In addition, police allegedly seized a computer hard drive, clippings from local newspapers featuring county children, numerous sex toys, condoms and a body hair that was allegedly saved on a piece of tape and labeled and dated in 2000, with a child’s name and age (11), Fishel said. White confirmed the seizure yesterday.
The prosecutor alleged that due to the volume and type of evidence collected by investigators, Tetterton should be held in jail until his trial.
“We believe this defendant is a danger to the children in this community,” he said. “We believe there are children who were victims of this defendant and we need to find them as quickly as possible.
“This defendant, by no means, should be out in the community,” Fishel added. “The amount of child pornography (seized during the investigation) is simply astounding. This defendant has an unhealthy fascination with children.”
He said investigators discovered some of the evidence hidden in an air duct in the home.
“Further charges will almost certainly be leveled in the future,” Fishel told the Court.
“A Witch Hunt”
Calling the prosecution’s motion to revoke Tetterton’s bond a “witch hunt,” the defense attorney said that nothing was presented during the hearing that wasn’t seen by the Halifax County magistrate when the original bond was set.
“Are there other charges? Where are they?” he asked.
Bagwell pointed out that Tetterton was a life-long member of the community with no previous criminal record and “never any hint or whisper of any action toward any child.”
Testifying in her son’s defense, Tetterton’s mother said she had no knowledge of any pornography in her home and that no young people ever visited the home.
“I realize that there’s a likelihood that a crime has been committed,” Bagwell said. “But there’s no evidence that anyone was involved except the defendant.”
The defense attorney said that anyone with a computer and Internet connection has access to child pornography.
“What he is guilty of is unimaginable stupidity,” Bagwell said. “Based on the charges here, this is all a witch hunt. They have brought no evidence whatsoever that he (Tetterton) has done anything to any child.
“I think it would be a travesty that based on a box of uninspected stuff, that he would be locked up for molesting children,” he added. “If there is a bone fide reason his freedom must be taken away before trial, I’d like to see it.”
Yesterday afternoon, Bagwell appealed Gravitt’s ruling. A hearing on the matter has been set for April 13.
Helping The Victims
During the hearing, Fishel said the photos seized by police at Wal-Mart depicted children engaged in sexual acts. “This is definitely child pornography,” he said.
The prosecutor alleged that the evidence, when taken as a whole, demonstrates that Tetterton is a danger to the community and should have his bond revoked.
Shortly after Monday’s hearing, Fishel said one of his main goals is to help any victims of the crimes.
“We just want to ensure that the children of this community are safe and get them the help they need,” he said. “There is just a whole lot of evidence that this is a man who is a danger to the children of the community.”

 

Halifax Man Convicted Of Assault, Battery

A 22-year-old Halifax man was convicted Tuesday in Halifax County Circuit Court of the felony assault and battery of a police officer, as well as another related offense.
Samuel Wayne Lancaster was convicted of the assault and battery of Police Officer T.W. Garner, and a felony third offense of shoplifting, this time from a local Valero gas station.
The Commonwealth nol prossed an additional indictment against Lancaster during the trial, one charging him with resisting arrest.
All three charges stem from a December 1, 2005 incident at a Valero gas station, according to court records.
Judge William L. Wellons sentenced Lancaster to three years in jail for each of the convictions, suspending all but one year for the assault and battery, conditioned on Lancaster’s good behavior for six years.
The court additionally ordered Lancaster to be placed on probation for two years following his release, to abstain from alcohol and illegal drugs and to submit to random drug tests, as well as to undergo substance abuse counseling or treatment.
Other Court Cases
• Alexander Harris, 31, of Nelson, was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison, with all but two suspended, for driving after being declared an habitual offender.
The court ordered the suspended portion of Harris’ sentence be conditioned on his good behavior for five years and ordered him placed on probation for two years following his release.
• Gregory Pate Sr., 47, of Virgilina, was granted first offender status Tuesday for an indictment charging him with cocaine possession.
The court continued the case for one year, ordering Pate to perform 100 hours of community service, and restricted his operator’s license for six months, including travel to and from work, the probation and parole office, counseling and community service.
• Frederick Price Jr., 24, of South Boston, received a five-year suspended prison term Tuesday for possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute.
The court ordered Price’s suspended sentence be conditioned on his good behavior for five years and ordered him to be placed on probation for two years, both beginning immediately.
The court additionally suspended Price’s operator’s license for six months.
• Carol Murray Wolfe, 54, of South Boston, received a five-year suspended prison term Tuesday for possessing cocaine.
The court ordered Wolfe’s suspended sentence be conditioned on her good behavior for five years and ordered her to be placed on probation for two years, both beginning immediately.
The court additionally suspended Wolfe’s operator’s license for six months, restricting it to travel to and from medical appointments, counseling and the probation office.
• Donna Mullins Wright, 37, of South Boston, received a five-year suspended prison sentence Tuesday for possessing a Schedule I/II controlled substance.
The court ordered Wright’s suspended sentence be conditioned on her good behavior for five years, and ordered her placed on probation for two years upon her release.
The court additionally ordered Wright to abstain from illegal drugs, submit to random drug tests and undergo drug counseling and treatment.
• Savaugh Wakeen Bailey, 26, of South Boston, pleaded guilty Monday to an amended indictment charging him with resisting arrest, in addition to one charging him with possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute.
In exchange for his guilty pleas, the Commonwealth agreed to nol pross two additional charges against Bailey, one each for misdemeanor and felony possession of marijuana with intent to distribute.
Bailey is free on bond until sentencing set for the May court term.
• Sharone Gerome Jackson, 27, of Phenix, had an indictment charging him with cocaine possession nol prossed Monday by the Commonwealth in Halifax County Circuit Court.

 

SoBo Council Gets First Look At CIP

Addresses Road Improvements, Downtown Parking Issues

South Boston Council got its first look at its staff’s proposed Capital Improvements Program (CIP) budget for 2006-2007 during Council’s Monday work session.
The recommended FY 2006-2011 Capital Improvement Budget provides $ 2,661,326 (General Fund) and $107,375 (Water and Sewer) for capital improvements for the next fiscal year which begins July 1, 2006, according to South Boston Town Manager Ted Daniel.
Total General Fund capital projects for FY2006-2007 total $2,661,236, with $955,248 being provided through grant and other state funding programs and $1,706,078 in General Fund revenues.
The first year of the recommended Capital Improvement Program represents the town manager’s recommendations to Council as the Capital Improvements Program.
A five-year CIP allows Council and the town residents an opportunity to view both the short-term capital construction and the acquisition needs of the Town of South Boston, Daniel said.
“Viewing the short-term needs enables the town to better plan their financing strategy for capital improvements and annual operating requirements,” said Daniel.
Following adoption by the Town Council, the first year of the CIP is viewed as the capital budget for the FY2006-2007. Any changes to the capital budget during the Council’s consideration of the FY2006-2007 budget would alter the first year of the FY 2006-2011 CIP budget, explained the town manager.
The Town Council will hold a public hearing on the Capital Improvement Program at its Monday, April 10, regular meeting. Council may adopt the CIP at its Monday, April 24, or its May 8 or May 22 meetings.
Also at the work session, Council heard from VDOT representatives Rick Youngblood and Jeff Kessler about planned road improvements as part of the “VDOT 2020 Transportation Plan.”
The plan addresses traffic flow, safety, parking and truck traffic, according to Kessler.
Recommendations for South Boston were divided into three phases, with immediate needs addressed first and long-term deficiencies to be addressed later.
The plan will also be helpful to secure state funding for transportation projects, Kessler said.
Council members asked the VDOT engineers several questions about proposed traffic flow changes particularly at busy intersections.
Councilman Glen Abernathy expressed concerns over the current traffic situation in front of the middle school when parents pick up students in the afternoon.
“Now it is a hazard,” Abernathy said. “It is dangerous.”
He asked VDOT if they could post signs asking through traffic to move into the left lane as a temporary fix while the school’s renovation work is being done.
The engineers said they would look into the matter.
VDOT Resident Engineer Joe Barkley also offered an update to Council. Vaughan Street should be open to traffic in the next week or so, he said.
Also, the Berry Hill Road project is on schedule, Barkley informed Council.
Barkley told Council that if the General Assembly took no action, state funding for transportation projects could fall by as much as 40 percent.
“The local impact could be severe,” he said.
Council also addressed handicapped parking downtown at the work session.
Adding additional handicapped spaces has met “a lot of resistance from downtown merchants,” according to South Boston Public Works Director Alan Auld.
“It is my recommendation that we do nothing,” Auld said, noting enforcement would be a problem. “I’ve started looking at parking behind the shops, there might be some answers there.”
Councilman Ed Owens said that the major complaint he hears from downtown merchants is people parking in the two-hour spaces all day.
Council asked Police Chief Mick Reed if there could be spot enforcement of the parking time limit to send a message that it was being enforced.
Reed said it wouldn’t be a problem.
Daniel then asked Council for its input on a request from downtown eateries Bistro 1888 and Vintner’s Cellar to put tables on the sidewalk in front of their establishments.
Council agreed that they need additional information, but as long as pedestrian traffic was not impeded they had no inherent objections.
“We should do anything we can to help them,” Councilman Coleman Speece said, noting the two businesses have been huge assets to downtown. “But we can’t block sidewalk access.”
Council then addressed a Board of Viewers report to close the alley east of Marshall Avenue and adjacent to Vaughan Street.
Property owners at the northern part of the alley were not notified, Daniel said, while others were.
The town manager recommended that Council put the matter on the agenda for April’s meeting and letters be sent to the additional property owners.
Also put on April 10’s agenda is an ordinance that would ban smoking in town facilities.
Concerns were raised about smoking in the volunteer fire department’s building. The Fire Company owns the building so it shouldn’t be affected, town officials said.
Council also asked for additional information about doing away with town vehicle decals. Daniel said he too wants to “ask questions” about the new process before the town decides how to proceed. But Council acknowledged that they will have to go along if the county scraps decals because enforcement would be impossible.
A work group made up of representatives from the three localities is slated to meet and address decal policy.

 

Morningstar To Speak At HOF Inductions Banquet

Former Halifax County High School basketball coach Bill Morningstar will be the guest speaker for this year’s Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall Of Fame Inductions Banquet.
This year’s induction banquet, the 18th annual affair, will be held Saturday, April 8, at 6:30 p.m. at C.H. Friend Elementary School in South Boston.
Tickets are priced at $20 each in advance and $25 each at the door. Hall of Fame officials noted that only 250 tickets will be sold.
The tickets are available at a handful of locations including Velro Church Supply in Halifax, Halifax Pharmacy, Waskey Cleaners, Electric Service Company, True Value Hardware, the Gazette-Virginian and from any member of the Board of Directors.
Four new members, Jack Crews, Bill Maxwell, Don Thompson and Alfred Joseph “Scooter” Savarese, will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year.
This year’s induction of Crews, Maxwell, Thompson and Savarese will make this year’s class of inductees the largest class to be inducted in 15 years.
Morningstar, a previous inductee into the Halifax County-South Boston Sports Hall of Fame, is well known to many people in South Boston and Halifax County. He is a former head coach of the Halifax County High School boys basketball team, a former standout athlete at Halifax County High School and is currently serving as head golf coach at Elon University where he has served as a coach for 31 years.
He started on the Halifax County High basketball team for three years, and was a co-captain his senior year in 1960.
He earned all-district and all-state honors that season, leading the Comets to a third-place finish in the state tournament.
In addition, Morningstar was a class officer three years in high school, participating in track and football as well as basketball.
Morningstar became a four-year starter in basketball at Elon University, serving as co-captain his junior and senior years.
After one year as head basketball coach at Union High School in Union, SC, Morningstar returned to his alma mater to coach Comet basketball until 1972.
He chaired the physical education department and also coached tennis, golf and cross country during his tenure at Halifax County before returning to Elon in 1972 as assistant basketball coach and head golf coach.
Morningstar’s name has become synonymous with golf excellence at Elon and is now guiding the Elon University golf program into its fifth year of NCAA Division I action.
Under Morningstar’s direction, the Elon University golf team advanced to the NAIA National Tournament 16 times in 19 years and finished among the top ten each time.
His 1982 golf team was his best. After capturing the conference and district championships, Elon went on to win the NAIA National Championship. Morningstar was named NAIA National Coach of the Year for his efforts.
Morningstar has been named Conference Coach of the Year 15 times at Elon University and named District 26 Coach of the Year eight times.
He was inducted into the Elon Athletic Hall of Fame in 1988 and was inducted into the NAIA Coaches Hall of Fame in 1989.
During his tenure, Morningstar has served as president of the NAIA Golf Coaches Association and as Tournament Director for two NAIA national Tournaments.
In addition to serving as head golf coach and assistant men’s basketball coach, Morningstar has also served as head cross country coach and as a track and field coach.

 

Lions Baseball Makes The Most Of Daylight

HCMS Rallies For 10-2 Win Over Russell

The Halifax County Middle School baseball team rallied just in time here Monday against Russell, recovering from a 2-1 deficit with nine runs in the third and fourth innings for a 10-2 win.
Eight of those runs came in the bottom of the fourth inning, when the game was called due to darkness with two outs and the Lions still at bat.
The Lions coaching staff used the game against Russell to develop needed depth, Halifax mixing its reserves with starters for the contest, and the results were positive, according to coach Barry Powell.
“We wanted to give everybody a chance to play, and we’ll need that depth down the line,” explained Powell. “It gave us a chance to look at some guys and everybody got a chance to hit.
“There’s very little difference in their skills from day to day,” he added.
Halifax struck first to take a 1-0 lead into the second inning. Aaron Mitchell led off with a base hit, stole second and third and came home on a one-out RBI double by Kelvin Davis to make it 1-0.
A walk and two passed balls put runners at second and third, but a flyout and groundout left the lead at one run, and Russell responded to take the lead in its next at-bat.
Two walks and two stolen bases, followed by an RBI groundout and Lions fielding error made it 2-1 in favor of Russell.
The Lions responded with a single run in the bottom of the third to tie the score, Travis Goode hitting a leadoff single, stealing second, moving to third on a sacrifice by Deon Lipscomb and scoring on a two-out base hit by Zane Long.

 

Unbeaten Lions Softball Hosts Undefeated Bluestone Today

HCMS Blasts Russell 36-1

The Halifax County Middle School softball team hosts Bluestone today in a battle of unbeaten teams, the Lions improving to 5-0 with a 36-1 rout of Russell here Monday.
Monday’s game against an outmanned Russell team provided very little in the way of a true test for Halifax, the Lions scoring 26 runs in their first at-bat.
With Lions coach James Smith resting most of his starters for at least part of the game, Halifax showed off its depth, collecting a total of 31 hits, including five home runs.
The Lions sent 31 batters to the plate in the first inning, banging out 27 hits, including two home runs and a base hit from Stephanie Clark, and one homer each from Johanna Spencer and Megan Day.
Kristen Mosier had a double and single, while Jessie Bagbey singled in each of her four trips to the plate during the inning. Spencer added two singles, rounding the bases again after an error on one of them.
Day added a double and single, Jill Trickey hit a double and two singles, Dalyn Hall and Brittany Cole three singles, and Brittany Long two base hits to account for the final runs.
Russell tried to counter in the top of the second with one run, and got a baserunner as far as third base in the third, but that was it for Russell’s offense, the Lions adding two runs in the second and eight more in the third.
Singles from Trickey and Cole led to two runs in the second, while Trickey’s home run, Sharilyn Walton’s double, Day’s single, walks and Russell errors led to the final eight runs of the game.
Hall started the game on the mound for Halifax, pitching the first two innings, while Trickey came on to pitch the third, the game called under the mercy rule following three innings.
Hall allowed two hits, while striking out three batters in two innings, while Trickey struck out three and walked one batter in the third.
The game between unbeatens Halifax and Bluestone is scheduled to start today at 4:30 p.m.

Obituaries

Lisa Humphries Daniels
Lisa Humphries Daniels, 39, of 1175 Buck-Horace Trail, Nathalie, died March 27, 2006, at the home of her parents. She was born in Lexington on September 3, 1966, the daughter of William Thomas and Shirley Davis Humphries.
Mrs. Daniels is survived by her parents of South Boston; and one daughter, Katelyn Elizabeth Daniels of South Boston.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, March 30, at 11 a.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. David Dickerson officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening, March 29, from 7:00 until 8:30, at Powell Funeral Home.
Sylvester Traynham Judkins
Sylvester Traynham Judkins of Halifax died March 26, 2006, at Halifax Regional Hospital at the age of 73.
She was born in Halifax County on May 16, 1932, to the late Hurley Traynham and Nannie Winbush Traynham and was married to the late Lovelace Judkins. Mrs. Judkins was a member of Crystal Hill Baptist Church.
Survivors include three sons, Tommy Lee Traynham of Alexandria, William Judkins and Robert Traynham, both of Halifax; one sister, Sallie Chambers of Halifax; one grandchild; and a devoted friend, Nettie Sydnor.
Funeral services for Mrs. Judkins will be held tomorrow, March 30, at 1 p.m. at the Crawford House Chapel in Halifax with the Rev. Louis S. Leigh officiating. Burial will follow in Crystal Hill Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at 1144 Lower Liberty Road and 701 L.P. Bailey Highway, Halifax.
Agnes Elizabeth Womack Martin
Agnes Elizabeth Womack Martin, 87, of 1118 Martin Trail, Clover, died March 27, 2006, at her home.
Mrs. Martin was born in Halifax County on January 18, 1919, the daughter of the late Henry W. Womack and Emma Newby Womack and was married to the late Crayton Fuller Martin. She was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, Scottsburg.
Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Bobbie Jean and Christopher V. Eler of Woodstock; four grandchildren, Rebecca Kaye Simmons of Lynchburg, Elizabeth Virginia Simmons of Chesapeake, Crayton Edward Simmons of Hawaii, and Brittany Joelle Jones of Danville; four great-grandchildren, Adam Lewis and Ian Andrew Remy of Lynchburg, Elnora ‘Ella’ Carr of South Boston, Emma Ellis of Roanoke Rapids, N.C.; her half-brothers and sisters, Annie Mae Tuck of Roxboro, N.C., Mildred Womack of Vernon Hill, Henry Womack and wife, Betty, of South Boston, Howard Womack and wife, Alice, Frances Bomar, Linda Hamlett, and Christine Bane and husband, Melvin, all of Scottsburg, Minnie Gordon and husband, Franklin, of Chase City, Oneil McCormick and husband, Wayne, of Alton, and Raymond Womack and wife, Jenny of Richmond.
Mrs. Martin was preceded in death by three daughters, Eva Mae Martin, Elven Dean Martin and Joyce Marie Martin Jones.
Funeral services will be held today, March 28, at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel with the Revs. Randall Williams and Donald Womack officiating. Burial will follow at the Martin family Cemetery in Clover.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider a charity of choice.
Gladys Whitlow Whitt
Gladys Whitlow Whitt, 86, of 8094 Philpott Road, South Boston, died March 27, 2006, at Berry Hill Nursing Home.
Mrs. Whitt was born December 20, 1919, in Person County, N.C., the daughter of the late Henry Thomas Whitlow and Mattie Ford Whitlow, and was married to the late Crowder Poole Whitt. She was a member of High View Baptist Church, and was retired from ABB.
Survivors include one son, Crowder Whitt and his wife, Rose, of Richmond; one daughter, Jeanette Matney and her husband, Danny, of Rockville, Md.; one brother, David Whitlow of Roxboro, N.C.; seven grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mrs. Whitt will be held tomorrow, March 30, at 2 p.m. at High View Baptist Church with the Rev. Tommy Faust officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends this evening, March 29, from 7:00 until 8:30 at Brooks Funeral Home, and other times at the home of Althea Whitlow, 218 Easley Street, South Boston.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider High View Baptist Church.
Cora Mae Stephens Pointer
Mrs. Cora Mae Stephens Pointer of South Boston died March 27 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
She was 91.
Mrs. Pointer was born in Halifax County on October 2, 1914, the daughter of the late Joe Stephens and the late Lucy Brandon Stephens.
She was married to the late Aaron Pointer and was a member of Greater Brandon Missionary Baptist Church.
Mrs. Stephens is survived by two sisters, Viola Stovall and Elizabeth Stephens, both of South Boston; three sisters-in-law; one niece, Esther Mosley; one aunt, Ola Mae Brandon and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She was preceded in death by three sisters, Carrie S. Oliver, Mildred S. Harris and Loraine S. Palmer and two brothers, Joe Henry Stephens and Ember Stephens.
Funeral services for Mrs. Pointer will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 1, with services at the Greater Brandon Baptist Church.
The Rev. Elton Medley will officiate.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the residence, 111 Rosehill Drive, Apt. 29.