Morgan Sentencing Continues Tomorrow

Xenia Uzella Morgan Facing Death For Murder

Sentencing will continue for convicted murderer Xenia Uzella Morgan tomorrow, with Wednesday also scheduled for Morgan’s case.
Contacted yesterday, Commonwealth’s Attorney Kim White said the state will seek the death penalty.
“There will be no agreement," she said.
White said the Commonwealth will cite the vileness of the crime, as well as what they believe is evidence of future danger from Morgan during the sentencing.
“We plan to show the court some of the more than 130 photos from the crime scene that have previously been introduced as evidence to establish that this crime was horrific and vile and that the defendant is a future danger to society," she said.
In addition, the chief medical examiner of Virginia is expected to testify.
Morgan, who pleaded guilty last July to the May 9, 2003 capital murder and robbery of Lillian Beatrice Taylor on Quarles School Road, had later moved the court to allow her to withdraw her guilty pleas.
She faces either life in prison or the death penalty for the crimes.
Judge William L. Wellons denied Morgan’s motion to withdraw her guilty pleas in a February hearing, where she indicated through her attorneys Joseph Teefey and R.Clinton Clary Jr. that she would request a jury trial at sentencing.
The court denied that motion.
During a late June portion of the sentencing hearing, Teefey and Clary called a single witness, Dr. Robert P. Hart, a psychiatrist with Virginia Commonwealth University.
The June hearing could indicate what direction both the Commonwealth and Morgan’s defense may take tomorrow, with Hart telling the court that a battery of tests conducted on Morgan indicated “frontal lobe damage” to her brain, characterized by problem solving difficulties and lack of self-awareness.
“They don’t appreciate their mistakes or the impact they may have on other people,” Hart told the court in June.
Citing incidents of threatening behavior exhibited by Morgan as proof of future dangerousness – a key component in determining the application of the death penalty – Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Michelle Gowdy questioned Hart about the validity of the tests Morgan took over a day and a half.
According to an autopsy report on Taylor, the victim suffered 78 sharp force stabs and cuts to the neck, chest, abdomen, right arm, left arm, left flank and back. She also received blunt force injuries to the head, face and chest that resulted in a broken nose and multiple breaks to the top and bottom jaw.
“Virginia law permits a jury to recommend and a judge to sentence an individual to death if the defendant is found to have a likelihood of being a danger in the future or the crime for which they are found guilty is particularly vile,” White said during an earlier portion of the trial. “In this case, both situations exist.”
White pointed to the summary of evidence following Morgan’s initial guilty plea.
During the summary, prosecutors said they believed the initial motive for the crime was robbery and that Morgan became angry because she only got $4, two of which were dropped as she fled the murder scene.

 

 

 

Joint Landfill Back On Supes’ Front Burner

A light agenda faces the Halifax County Board of Supervisors and town councils when they meet in joint session tonight.
The meeting gets under way at 6 p.m. in the public meeting room of the Mary Bethune Complex in Halifax.
The joint Board will receive an update on the water & sewer master plan study.
County Administrator Bryan Foster said the county held a technical follow-up with engineers Draper Aden Associates on July 11, when the engineering firm reviewed mapping information and discussed identified problem areas.
Another meeting is expected to be held in August.
The Board will also discuss regional landfill and solid waste issues as they relate to the planned Regional Public Service Authority.
Foster said the group met June 30 in Boydton, where they discussed permitting issues.
A meeting is being planned with the Department of Environmental Quality in Richmond to “facilitate the permitting process”.
“The Halifax Working Group has met once to discuss collection and transportation issues relative to the county,” Foster said. “We are looking to schedule site visits to other communities similarly situated to investigate their use and operation of transfer stations.”
Chris Elliott will replace Tom Raab on the group after Raab’s resignation from South Boston Town Council.
Supervisors are also expected to take action on a resolution authorizing the Board to pursue revenue-sharing funds through VDOT for the Town of Halifax.
“Although the Board (of supervisors) did not want to pursue revenue-sharing funds, the Town of Halifax would like to use this resource to help with streetscape improvements as part of the Downtown Revitalization project,” Foster said.
Since Halifax isn’t eligible to apply for the program, the county will be the applicant, although the town will provide the necessary matching funds.
The joint Board is also expected to approve a list of restrictive covenants for the use of the site of the former landfill at Bethel.
Draper Aden Associates will be at the meeting to present their recommendations regarding a master plan for the use of Edmunds Park.
“The work to date at the park has greatly enhanced the facility, creating a lot of use and positive energy regarding the park’s development," Foster said. “However, we must have an approved plan and direction from the Board as to the future development to avoid any potential conflicts moving forward."

 

 

Burton Foundation Is Saving Land For Future Generations

Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation Announces Purchase Of 1,123 Acres At The Cove

NASCAR driver Ward Burton’s voice cracked with emotion as he remembered the man he called a mentor in his conservation work.
“I promised myself I wouldn’t do this,” he said as his voice started to break. “But it’s an emotional day for me because C.R. Sanders should be here.
“He instilled in me the determination to work to conserve this land and the importance of land stewardship," he said. “I wish so much he was here."
Community leaders joined state forestry officials at the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation’s Cove project Friday to announce the completion of a land purchase and corresponding easement that will save 1,123 acres along 5.5 miles of the historic Staunton River.
The Forestry Department will hold an easement on the land that will protect it from development in perpetuity.
The tracts include 90-150 year old hardwood forests, wetlands, a stocked lake and a diverse wildlife population.
Sanders’ widow, Peggy Hammond, and State Forester Carl E. Garrision III joined Burton as the three signed ceremonial papers announcing the end of the project two years in the making.
“We’ve come here today to celebrate both the end of the largest Forest Legacy Program transaction in Virginia history and the beginning of a new era in forest conservation and education in the Commonwealth," Garrison said. “Together, we have guaranteed that this incredible piece of Virginia land will be around for our grandchildren, their grandchildren and their grandchildren."
Garrison said the achievement is even more significant given the current demand for waterfront property.
“If not for the people here today, we might well be watching the construction of 2,000 houses instead of the signing of a deed and a conservation easement," he said.
Burton said the property should be used to educate children on the importance of conservation.
“To make this make a difference in and influence people’s lives – especially children – we need to create a relationship with the schools and let them use this as a research area and outdoor classroom," he said. “We need agriculture, but at the same time, we need natural space. We’re going to put this property back to what it originally was.
“This is the first step toward making a difference in people’s lives," Burton added.
Calling herself an “armchair conservationist," Hammond said Friday’s announcement was the result of 40 years of “fortunate circumstances".
“First, my late husband, C.R. Sanders Jr., had the foresight to recognize the uniqueness and the importance of this land within the horseshoe bend in the Staunton River," she said. “He also had the determination to obtain the land in order to preserve it.
“The next fortunate circumstance involved a friendship between a man, Sanders, and a boy, the young Ward Burton," Hammond added. “They shared many experiences, some of them here on this land, and they also shared a philosophy of respect for the land, the river, and all the plants and creatures that thrive here. The years passed, and Ward became a successful NASCAR driver, but he never lost his focus on the land. He became the attentive and caring steward of The Cove."
Burton called Sanders “a friend that every boy needs".
“He allowed me to use this place like it was mine," he said as he looked over the property. “He was my mentor. As I grew up, our relationship turned more toward man-to-man.
“For two decades, I was the caretaker (of the property)," Burton added. “I paid the taxes on this land.
“That got me very concerned about what would happen to this property in the future," he said. “Fortunately, we were able to come up with a solution we were both comfortable with that will not only protect the land, but ensure it for generations to come."
Hammond smiled the kind of smile that indicated her late husband, who died a year and a half ago, would be pleased with Friday’s announcement.
“It took a long time, but it finally happened," she said quietly. “I just wish Sanders was here to see it."

 

Obituaries

Lester Leroy ‘Roy’ Lowery Sr.

Lester Leroy ‘Roy’ Lowery Sr., 69, of 1093 Ford Lane, Virgilina died July 14 at his home.
Mr. Lowery was born May 12, 1936, in Virgilina the son of the late Jessie Henry Lowery and Hallie Whitt Lowery and was married to the late Eunice Cole Lowery. He was a member of Florence Avenue Baptist Church, and was a self-employed plumber and electrician.
Funeral services were held at Florence Avenue Baptist Church on July 16, at 2 p.m. with the Rev. Sean McKenzie officiating. Burial followed in Virgilina Cemetery.
Survivors of Mr. Lowery include three daughters, Dee Dee Lowery Philippou and her husband, Kallistos, of Baltimore, Md., Vickie Lowery Snead and husband, John, of Virgilina, and Debora Lowery Surawski and husband, Ziggy, of Florence, S.C.; one son, Lester Leroy Lowery Jr. and wife, Sandra, of Virgilina; one sister, Marie Lowery Dalton of Oxford, N.C.; one brother, Frankin W. ‘Bill’ Lowery of Hampton; eight grandchildren, John Snead Jr., Jason Snead, Jessica Billingslea and Joshua Billingslea, Melissa Surawski, Zig Surawski, Jared Lowery and Ethan Lowery; and one great-grandchild, Jade Roderick.
He was also preceded in death by three sisters, Gladys L. Swain, Rebecca L. Currin and Remelle Lowery; and five brothers, James Howard Lowery, John D. Lowery, Henry Ford Lowery, George C. Lowery and Edward Jones Lowery.

Gene Obie Wimbish

Funeral services for Gene Obie Wimbish, 58, of South Boston will be held Tuesday, July 19, at 11 a.m. at County Line Baptist Church. The Rev. Otis R. Dillard will conduct the services, with burial following in the Wimbish family cemetery at Java.
Mr. Wimbish died Friday, July 15, at his residence.
He was born in Halifax County on October 15, 1946, the son of Deacon Tom Wimbish and the late Mable Lovelace Wimbish.
He was a member of County Line Baptist Church.
Mr. Wimbish is survived by his father, Deacon Tom Wimbish, and 12 siblings, Thomas Linard, Walter Lewis, Horace Porter, Donald Edward, Brenda Doreatha Walton, the Rev. Robert Stanley, William Limit, Gerard Rogers, Charles Wayne, Phillip Howard, Jesse James and Wanda Gail Russell. He is also survived by sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, neices, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.
The family will receive friends one hour prior to services and at other times at the home, 102 Aster Place, South Boston.

 

 

HC South Clinging To Life

Having Split Its First Two Games, The Halifax County South Dixie Youth AAA All-Star Team Was Looking For A Win Last Night To Stay Alive In The Virginia DYB AAA League State Tournament

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

The Halifax County South Dixie Youth Baseball AAA League all-star team was bidding last night to stay alive in its bid for the state crown.
Halifax County South faced Blacksburg last night in a third-round game of the Eighth Annual Virginia Dixie Youth Baseball AAA League State Tournament being played at Conner Field in Cluster Springs with the loser being eliminated from the tournament.
Halifax County South split its first two tournament games, falling 16-6 to Blackstone in Friday’s nightcap and rallying to defeat Galax 11-6 Saturday to stave off elimination.
Blacksburg’s fortunes were just the opposite.
An 8-7 win over Vinton National in the first round put Blacksburg in the winner’s bracket for Saturday’s round. But Blacksburg lost to Madison Heights 7-4 Saturday, dropping it into the loser’s bracket and putting it into last night’s elimination game.
Blackstone and Madison Heights emerged as the lone undefeated teams from the first two rounds and were set to face each other last night as well.
Halifax County South avoided elimination in Saturday’s game against Galax with the help of a seven-run explosion in the bottom of the fifth inning that took it from a two-run deficit to a five-run lead.
HCS led after the first inning but fell behind when Galax rallied for four runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a 6-2 lead. But, HCS answered Galax with a seven-run rally in the bottom of the inning to take the lead and the game.
Offensively, Halifax County South got the job done with an 11-hit attack that saw Jacob New, Tyler Holt, Tyler Dunn, and Michael Watts come up with two hits each.
Willie Vernon. Trevor Seate and Wayne Barnett each had one hit.
While the offensive spark was there, so was the pitching. Halifax County South hurler Seth Elliott fanned nine batters and held Galax to six hits while yielding three walks.
If there was anything that was disappointing about the HCS performance, it rested in that HCS stranded eight runners on the sacks.
Galax took the initial lead with a run in the top of the first inning that came when Ty Cannady reached base on an error and later scored when Jonathan Alouf grounded out to Holt at shortstop.
HCS countered with two runs in the bottom of the inning, the first coming when Watts laced a bases-loaded single to score Vernon who reached base earlier on a walk. A walk to Ryan Puryear forced in Holt who had reached base earlier in the inning with a single.
Leading 2-1, HCS padded its lead with two runs in the bottom of the second inning to make it a 4-1 score.
New laced a two-RBI single that scored Barnett who had had a hit earlier in the inning and Westley Pruitt who had walked earlier in the inning.
A run-scoring single by Matthew Hill gave Galax a run in the top of the fourth inning to make it a 4-2 HCS lead. Four runs in the top of the fifth put Galax up 6-4.
The big inning was fueled by a two-RBI hit from Chandler Quesenberry and a runs-scoring single by Cannady.
Things looked good at that point for Galax but their hopes for the win were quickly dashed by HCS.
HCS exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the inning, picking up six of their 11 hits for the game in the inning. Vernon, Holt, and Dunn each produced run-scoring hits for HCS in the big inning.
Having taken the lead 11-6, HCS did what it needed to do in the top of the sixth inning and retired Galax in order to seal the win.
Halifax County South’s night against Blackstone in its Friday night tourney opener was as bad as Saturday’s game was good.
HCS committed three errors, saw its hurlers give up 10 walks and it left 13 runners stranded on the sacks.
The host team had 12 hits in the game with Trevor Seate leading the way with three hits. Vernon, Holt and Dunn each had two hits with New, Will Harris and Barnett chipping in a hit each.
Blackstone gained the early lead but HCS picked up two runs in the second inning and three in the third inning to deadlock the game at 5-5.
In the two-run bottom of the second inning, a single by harris with one out scored Seate who opened the inning with a single and a single by Barnett scored Watts who reached base on a walk earlier in the inning.
The third inning HCS rally saw HCS load the sacks with hits from New and Holt and a walk to Dunn. A walk to Pruitt forced in New for one run and a two-RBI double by Seate with two out tied the game.
Just as quickly as HCS got back into the game, it fell out of it.
Blackstone rallied for five runs in the top of the fourth inning to make it a 10-5 game. A walk and an error each allowed a run to score. A run-scoring hit by Nolan Powell and a two-RBI hit from Sterling Gunn put Blackstone up by five runs.
Four more runs in the top of the fifth inning put Blacksburg up 14-5 as Fletcher Borum, Tyler Procise and Powell each had run-scoring hits.
Two runs in the top of the sixth inning put Blackstone up 16-5 with the runs coming on two hits and a HCS error.
HCS picked up a run in its final trip to the plate in the bottom of the sixth inning. Vernon walked, Holt reached base on an error and a hit by Holt plated Vernon to make the 16-6 final score.

 

 

 

 

Halifax County 1-1 In State Debs Tourney

BY Doug Ford
G-V STAFF WRITER

The Halifax County Debs all-stars are 1-1 after two games in the Virginia Dixie Debs State Tournament at Madison Heights, losing to Appomattox 4-1 Saturday after a close 5-4 win the day before against Charlotte County.
Halifax, which got a homer from Lori Reeves in Saturday’s loss, has a total of only four hits in the two tourney games. Halifax County needed to win its game yesterday against Prince Edward in order to keep its hopes alive for a seventh straight state title.
Appomattox 4, Halifax County 1 (Saturday)
Lori Reeves slugged a solo home run and Cari Clark added a double, but those were the only hits Halifax could muster in a 4-1 loss to Appomattox on Saturday.
Reeves hit her home run in the bottom of the sixth inning to bring Halifax to within one run at 2-1, but Appomattox added two more in the top of the seventh for the final margin, using two of its three hits for the game.
Appomattox used a walk and two sacrifices in the second to take a 1-0 lead and the teams exchanged double plays in the third inning to keep the game at 1-0, Halifax turning a 3-4-2 double play in the top of the inning.
Clark doubled to lead off the bottom of the third inning for Halifax and advanced to third on a wild pitch, but Appomattox turned a 1-3-2 double play on an attempted bunt, Clark out at home to keep Halifax off the scoreboard.
Except for Reeves’ homer, Halifax had two other base runners the final four innings.
After two Halifax errors and two passed balls gave Appomattox its second run in the fourth inning, Clark was out on a steal attempt in the sixth after a two-out walk.
Heather Oakes drew a one-out walk in the bottom of the seventh, but a strikeout and groundout ended the game.
Jasmine Parker started the game for Halifax County, hurling the first three innings, Moo Morris came on to pitch the fourth through the sixth innings, and Emily Pool hurled the seventh inning. The trio gave up only three hits and collected four strikeouts.
Halifax County 5, Charlotte County 4 (Friday)
Halifax overcame an early 0-1 deficit with three runs in the third and stopped a Charlotte County rally in the top of the seventh to claim a 5-4 win on Friday.
Parker and Oakes got the only two hits for Halifax, Parker’s hit coming in the pivotal third inning which gave Halifax a 3-1 lead. Oakes hit her single in the sixth inning to make it 5-3 and help hold off a last-inning rally by Charlotte County.
Charlotte County got a base hit and Halifax committed two errors in the first inning, but trailed only 1-0, turning a double play to keep the deficit at one run.
Halifax turned another double play in the second, this one coming on an attempted sacrifice bunt with a runner at first to keep the deficit at one run, before taking the lead in the bottom of the inning.
Clark walked to start the inning, and Mallory Lawter sacrificed her to second. Oakes reached on a fielder’s choice and advanced to third on a wild pitch and passed ball. Amelia Saunders and Jessica Lewis walked, Parker singled and Saunders scored on a throwing error as Halifax took a 3-1 lead.
Two infield hits, a fielder’s choice and another base hit plated two runs for Charlotte County in the top of the fourth to tie the game, and it was 3-3 until the bottom of the sixth, when Halifax took the lead for good.
Oakes singled to start the inning and Saunders reached after being hit by a pitch. After a Charlotte County error, Parker reached base after being hit by a pitch, and Amanda Rogers hit a sacrifice fly to score the final run of the inning.
Halifax County stymied a Charlotte County rally in the top of the seventh to win the game. A leadoff single, wild pitch, walk, another wild pitch and fielder’s choice gave Charlotte County one run with none out, but an infield fly, groundout and strikeout sealed the win for Halifax.
Parker hurled the first three innings against Charlotte County, Morris the fourth and Pool the final three innings, Pool finishing with two strikeouts and Parker and Morris one each.

 

 

HC Babe Ruth All-Stars Are In The Top Four

The Halifax County Babe Ruth 15-Year-Old All-Star Team Has Made Its Way Into The Top Four In the Babe Ruth Baseball State Tournament

BY Joe Chandler
G-V STAFF WRITER

The Halifax County Babe Ruth 15-Year-Old all-star team has made its way into the top four in the Babe Ruth State Tournament being played in Charlottesville.
Halifax County was set to face Chantilly last night in an elimination game as only four teams remained alive in the tournament. Glen Allen and the host team, Lane, the remaining unbeaten teams, were also scheduled to face each other last night.
The winner of the Halifax County-Chantilly matchup would next face the loser of the Glen Allen-Lane game.
Halifax County saw its bid for the state Babe Ruth title get off to a rocky start with a 13-4 loss to Falls Church/Annandale in the first round.
But, Halifax County staved off elimination by racking up three straight wins, the first being a 3-2 win over Winchester in an 11-inning contest that was decided by a balk on the Winchester pitcher.
Halifax County had runners on second base and third base at the time and the balk allowed both runners to advance, thus giving Halifax County the game-winning run.
With that win behind it, Halifax County found itself in another close contest and topped Fluvanna 5-4.
In game four, Halifax County remained alive with a 5-1 win over Williamsburg.
Halifax County has recorded two home runs in the tournament, one by Justin Bagbey in the game against Falls Church/Annandale and one by Josh Williams in the Halifax County win over Williamsburg.
“As a team, our hitting was scattered,” said coach Perry Bagbey.
“But, we started hitting really well as a team the last two games. We’ve played well offensively and defensively and have had good pitching the last two games.”