A Halifax County Circuit Court jury heard opening statements
and testimony Tuesday in the capital murder trial of Antonio Christopher
Logan.
Logan, a 20-year-old Halifax resident, is accused of the capital
murder of Roxboro, N.C. resident Robert Franklin Bray during what
prosecutors have described as a drug deal turned deadly.
Logan is also charged with four additional felonies in connection
with the shooting of Bray, which occurred in South Boston last
July 20.
Those include use of a firearm while committing Bray's murder,
cocaine distribution, using a firearm during the distribution
of cocaine and possessing a firearm while possessing cocaine.
In his opening statement, Commonwealth's Attorney John Greenbacker
characterized Bray as a working man who "unfortunately developed
a cocaine addiction."
Greenbacker, along with Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Petra Blanchard,
are prosecuting the case.
The Commonwealth's Attorney said the Easley Street location in
which Bray was shot in the early morning hours of July 20 was
known by authorities to be an active drug distribution area.
Bray didn't go home the night before his murder, but went to a
cousin's house, and the two proceeded to use cocaine on several
different occasions the evening before his murder, according to
Greenbacker.
Greenbacker continued by saying that about 1:30 a.m. the next
morning, Bray asked for and received permission to sleep over
at his relative's house, but at 2 a.m. asked to borrow his cousin's
car, presumably to get some motor oil.
"Enter into the picture Mark William Womack," said Greenbacker.
"He said he was walking along the street about 2 a.m. when
Bray drove up to him."
Womack agreed to act as facilitator in a cocaine buy if he could
get a little of the drug in return, according to Greenbacker.
"The vehicle went to a location near the intersection of
Llewellyn Avenue and Easley Street," Greenbacker said, adding
a small disagreement arose between the two when Bray refused to
give money to Womack to make a deal.
Greenbacker said Womack had stepped out of the car by that time,
and that Bray suddenly drove away, circled the block and came
back to a location further down Easley Street.
"Womack saw the car and came back to it, sitting in the passenger
side," Greenbacker said.
"Bray then got out and started talking to Logan, and it escalated
into an argument.
"The defendant said Bray was the police, pulled out a gun,
chased him to his car and fired three shots."
According to the autopsy, the first shot, which lodged in Bray's
skull, was the fatal one, he added.
Greenbacker said that Womack, fearing for his life, ducked down
in the vehicle, put his foot on the accelerator, and somehow managed
to get the car down Easley Street, across Broad and down the street
on the other side before rolling to a stop.
Womack then turned the ignition off and fled the scene, according
to Greenbacker.
The prosecution would present three witnesses whose testimony
would be consistent with evidence in the case, including details
previously unreleased to the public, Greenbacker continued.
"All three are convinced Logan did the killing. If anyone
commits homicide as part of a drug deal, it's capital murder,"
Greenbacker ended.
Joseph Teefey, who along with Robert Morrison is defending Logan,
countered by saying the murder was not premeditated and therefore
not a capital case.
"I did not find a lot of disagreement with Mr. Greenbacker's
opening statement, but we need to add several things," Teefey
began.
He told the jury that Logan will take the stand and testify that
he indeed fired the shots that night, but added that Bray was
no stranger to the neighborhood.
"Bray was highly intoxicated that night and was addicted
to crack cocaine," Teefey continued.
"He was using his paycheck to purchase crack," said
Teefey, adding Bray went out twice previously that night to buy
drugs, but unknowingly purchased imitation cocaine instead.
"Bray was visibly upset and he wanted to use [his cousin's]
vehicle, because the car was well known in the area.
"What's interesting is Bray had no money," continued
Teefey, adding a subsequent search of the victim's clothing turned
up no cash.
One potential witness recalled seeing Bray taking drugs earlier
in the day without paying, according to Teefey.
"Now, he's driving a different car in order to steal drugs,"
Teefey told the jury.
"He's angry, high and desperate and has a history with the
people on Easley Street."
Both victim and defendant were intoxicated at the time of the
shooting, according to Teefey, Logan having drank "moonshine"
earlier.
Logan was armed, according to Teefey, because he had been robbed
several weeks earlier.
"Bray approached Logan and Logan handed the drugs to Bray,"
said Teefey.
"Bray turned to leave, and Logan asked 'what about my money?,'"
Teefey continued.
Bray screamed an expletive at Logan and began to run to his car,
while several onlookers challenged Logan to pursue Bray, Teefey
told the jury.
"They called him a 'punk,' and then Logan chased after him,"
Teefey said.
Teefey emphasized the shooting was done in the "heat of the
moment, at once," Logan not even realizing until later how
many shots he had fired.
"It's not capital murder, it wasn't premeditated but in the
heat of passion," he said.
"When we're talking about this incident, it was on a dark
street at 3 a.m. in the morning between two intoxicated people."
Sunday night and Monday mornings torrential rains created Halifax
County's version of the Grand Canyon on Traynham Grove Road near
Alton, and it is just as dangerous as the original.
A 20-year old South Boston man and a Virginia State Trooper both
ended up in a huge hole created by a washed out section of the
roadway, according to First Sergeant Jeff Lane of the Virginia
State Police.
One vehicle was reportedly washed 50-100 yards downstream at approximately
3:21 a.m. Monday morning, Lane said.
"The vehicle was washed down the creek a considerable distance
from where the road gave way," the First Sergeant said. "This
is something that doesn't happen every day."
As the 1991 Honda two-door overturned in the current, the driver,
19-year-old Daniel B. Payne, managed to free himself, but the
current sent the car rolling on top of him, according to neighbor
Jerry Mesick.
"He managed to find something to hold onto in the current,
but the car was floating and knocked him off of what he was holding
onto," Mesick said yesterday.
Payne managed to swim to the side of Coleman Creek and crawl to
Mesick's home, where family members called rescue personnel, according
to the neighbor.
State Police reported that Payne suffered multiple injuries in
the accident.
He was transported to Halifax Regional Hospital. No information
about his condition was available due to privacy regulations.
Payne's vehicle was considered a total loss, according to Lane.
Trooper S.M. Krantz is investigating the incident.
Lane said yesterday that charges against Payne are pending.
The trooper who first responded to the rescue call, Trooper J.L.
Crowder, also found himself in the washed-out section of road,
Lane said.
"Crowder was responding to a single-vehicle accident on Route
797 (Traynham Grove Road)," the First Sergeant said.
He said that due to poor visibility because of the heavy rainfall,
Crowder ran his vehicle into the washed-out section of roadway.
"When he approached the accident scene, his cruiser ran nose-first
into the bottom of the hole in the road," Lane said.
"At this point, we're not sure whether or not the roadway
gave way under the weight of the cruiser or had already been washed
out," he added.
The police cruiser, a 1998 Ford Crown Victoria, suffered extensive
front-end damage and was declared a total loss, according to Lane.
Crowder was not injured in the accident and managed to crawl out
the passenger side rear window, Lane reported.
Virginia State Police Sgt. L.D. Bishop is conducting an administrative
investigation into the incident.
Virginia Department of Transportation Resident Engineer Joe Barkley
said yesterday that Traynham Grove Road could be closed as long
as three weeks.
"We're looking at replacing the pipe under the road,"
Barkley said. "It got washed out completely."
The VDOT engineer said the roadway was constructed over a double
line of arch pipes that will have to be ordered.
He said that the rains caused 11 roads across the county to close
at one point.
At press time yesterday, only three, Routes 797, 601 and 710 between
Routes 658 and 711 remained closed.
With a June 10 deadline fast approaching, there's a rush to
pick up election packets from the registrar's office in Halifax,
according to Halifax County Registrar Judy Meeler.
"There seems to be a lot of interest lately in running for
the School Board," Meeler said yesterday. "Several (election)
packets have been picked up in the last week."
Two county residents have indicated an interest in running for
the ED-1 School Board seat currently held by Jason Parker, according
to Meeler.
Charles Douglas Fisher and Lisa Waller have both picked up election
materials from the registrar.
Also in ED-1, Jesse Bernard Lane has indicated an interest in
running for the Board of Supervisors seat currently held by R.E.
"Dickie" Abbott.
In ED-4, two political newcomers have picked up packets seeking
the School Board seat currently held by Carl Furches.
Furches currently represents ED-5, but with the new redistricting
lines, will be holding the ED-4 seat.
Joe Gasperini has indicated that he is interested in challenging
Furches for the seat, but he won't make a formal decision until
later in the week.
Although she picked up election material earlier, Katherine Mize
has said she won't be a candidate for Furches' seat.
"She (Mize) has said she definitely not interested,"
Meeler said.
In the ED-4 Board of Supervisors race, Incumbent David Martin,
who is currently the chairman of the Board, has indicated he will
not be seeking re-election.
Businessman W. Allen Stevens and economic development proponent
Doug Bowman have both indicated they will seek the seat.
With the ED-5 seat vacant following redistricting, two newcomers
have indicated an interest in running for the seat.
Charles Purcell and Sharon Kluge have both picked up packets seeking
the seat, according to Meeler.
James Edmunds is running unopposed for his ED-5 Board of Supervisors
seat.
Incumbent G.C. Ratliff is being challenged for his ED-7 School
Board seat by former Virginia Beach teacher and current Aaron's
Creek resident Sandra Rister.
Lottie Nunn is running unopposed for her Supervisor's seat in
ED-7.
The ED-8 School Board seat currently held by Patricia Nelson is
uncontested at this time, according to Meeler.
In the Supervisors race, incumbent Corky Rorrer has announced
that he will not be seeking re-election, William Claiborne has
announced that he plans to seek Rorrer's ED-8 seat.
Although June 10 at 7 p.m. is the official deadline for candidates
to file, Meeler encouraged potential candidates to turn in their
materials prior to the deadline.
"The Republican primary is June 10, so I would like to have
the packets in prior to that date," she said. "That
way, if there are any problems we will have time to correct them."
In addition to the Board of Supervisors race, voters will also
be electing a sheriff, Commonwealth's Attorney and delegate to
the Virginia General Assembly during the November 4 election.
The list of challengers to obtain election material for the office
of sheriff includes several former Halifax County sheriff's deputies.
The office is currently held by D.J. "Jeff" Oakes, who
is seeking another term in office.
Among the list are former deputies Ray Link of Alton, Keith Tribble
of Nathalie and Todd Moser of Vernon Hill.
Tribble is challenging Oakes in the June 10 Republican primary.
Other candidates who have picked up packets include former Town
of Halifax police chiefs Shawn Sweeney and Charles Conner. Conner
is a correctional officer at Blue Ridge Regional Jail in Halifax
and Freddie Edmunds is a South Boston police officer.
Incumbent state Senator Frank Ruff of Clarksville and Delegate
Clarke Hogan are uncontested in seeking their parties endorsement
in the Republican primary.
Hogan is being challenged for his seat in the November general
election by Dominion Virginia Power worker Brad Wike, a Democrat.
Incumbent John Greenbacker is also seeking the Republican Party's
endorsement for his third term as commonwealth's attorney.
The incumbent is being challenged by Kimberly White in the Republican
primary.
The victor of the primary will face Halifax attorney Robert Meeks
in the November election for the commonwealth attorney's post.
Opening last year with six students and
a dream, Carlbrook School's founders said farewell to the first
graduating class on Saturday, sending them off to some of the
nations finest universities.
Wake Forest, George Washington and Oxford College of Emory University
are among the institutions welcoming the new graduates.
Boasting an enrollment of 90, Carlbrook will graduate another
class of 13 in August in addition to the eight that graduated
Saturday.
Seventy-five percent of the students graduating this summer have
received merit based scholarships at an average of $80,000 per
student, according to Dean of Admissions Grant Price.
"We are now running 40 to 45 distinctive course offerings,
seven advanced placement courses and, through SVCC, we have three
dual enrollment courses," Price adds.
Since its inception Carlbrook has been building both its academic
program and the already beautiful campus.
The newest structure, an imposing three story commons building,
featuring a glass facade which overlooks a campus lake, is representative
of the refined academic environment that is rapidly being constructed.
The commons building, which opened just before Christmas, will
be followed by a dining facility, an academic complex, an arts
pavilion, new dormitories and a field house with a gym and weight
room.
Carlbrook has tried to use local companies for all of its new
construction.
"We went with Chambers Construction on the general construction
and part of the deal was that they had to use local contractors
as much as they could," explains Price.
"The county has been absolutely great about everything we've
done out here," says Price.
"They've just been great in helping us get the project going."
The founders are also pleased with the school's financial outlook.
"We've crossed the break-even point several times,"
Price said.
"Since we are still growing it is a moving marker, but the
most significant one was in March, and we crossed it ahead of
schedule."
The graduation was also a dream come true for the school's administration
whose hard work and patience have led to Carlbrook's success.
"Five of the board members stood in this spot in October
2002 and shared our dreams with each other. Today those dreams
come true," said Tim Brace during the opening remarks for
Saturday's graduation.
The dream began when Price and Dean of Faculty Justin Merritt
met in high school.
"We had some problems, but had a lot of potential and were
just grossly underachieving, and wondered where there was a school
for kids like us," recalls Price.
Twelve years later, after pursuing careers in law and educational
consulting, they realized they needed to start pursuing their
dream if they were ever going to see it come to fruition.
"It was like we either have to go for it or we have to quit
worrying about it," Price said.
In April 2000, they started planning for the school by sharing
their vision with Tim Brace
He was influential in bringing the rest of the current board members
into the project, according to Price.
"He has been a huge part in the success of this school,"
says Price.
"This school would not be here today without the efforts
of everyone on the board."
By JOE CHANDLER
After having missed winning the Halifax Country Club member-Guest
Golf Tournament the past two years, Phil Rinker and John Howerton
proved last weekend they still have what it takes to get to the
top.
Playing the 36-hole event without a bogey, Rinker and Howerton
combined for a round of 64 on Saturday and blistered the field
with a 10 under par round of 60 on Sunday to secure their sixth
win in eight years.
Their two-day total of 124 was four shots better than that of
runners-up W.J. Long and Brad Mele and five shots better than
the team of Mike Gregory and Jimmy Clay which finished third with
a 129 total.
"I've always enjoyed playing golf with Phil," Howerton
said.
"We play extremely well together. This is a fun tournament
because there is a lot of good competition. To win it, you've
got to play really well."
Rinker pointed out that with the rain and the extremely wet fairways
and greens he never envisioned that anyone would make it through
the weekend without a bogey.
"The golf course was real wet and real tough to play,"
said Rinker.
"But, I've got a great partner. Our chemistry is real good
and we played real well today."
Rinker and Howerton trailed Long and Mele by one shot after Saturday's
opening round despite their six under par opening day effort.
"I told them (Long and Mele) last night (Saturday night)
we're coming after you," said Rinker.
"W.J. and Brad played real well Saturday. W.J. finished with
a birdie and a hole-in-one to shoot seven under. We knew we were
going to have to play well on Sunday to beat them."
Rinker and Howerton did just that.
The pair produced eight birdies, an eagle and nine pars to overcome
their one-shot deficit and pull away to the four-shot victory.
"That's the best two days of golf I've played in a long,
long time," said Howerton.
"It's definitely the best two-man tournament I've ever been
associated with."
Long and Mele gave Rinker and Howerton a good run for the title.
They held a one-shot lead on the field after Saturday's first
round, turning in a seven under par round of 63 with the help
of a birdie by Long on the second hole and a hole-in-one by Long
for an eagle on the par three third hole.
Long and Mele picked up on Sunday where they left off the previous
day, garnering four birdies in the first eight holes.
A bogey on number nine posed a little bit of a stumbling block.
But, they got back on track with birdies on the 10th and 11th
holes.
"We were looking good at that point," said Long.
"We were right on their heels."
However, a double bogey by Long and Mele on number 15 unraveled
their bid.
"That was pretty much it," said Long.
"But, after we sat down and had a chance to look back on
it, it wouldn't have made that much difference. They (Rinker and
Howerton) were playing so well we couldn't have caught them unless
something extraordinary happened."
The bottom line on the weekend for Long and Mele showed two bogies
and one double bogey, not a bad showing, especially on a wet weekend.
"Had we parred those holes we'd have shot 16 under par and
tied them," Long pointed out.
"But, that's a lot to ask, to play perfect golf for 36 holes.
We gave it our best and just came up short."
Long congratulated Rinker and Howerton on their win.
"My hat's off to them," said Long.
"They made eight birdies and an eagle. It's very hard to
beat that."
Rinker and Howerton won the Halifax Country Club Member-Guest
Golf Tournament for five years in a row until Gregory and Clay,
who finished third in this year's event, ended the streak in 2000.
Jay Burnett and Tom Burnett teamed up to win the title in 2001
and James Lewis and Kris Mele, who placed second in the First
Flight this year, won the tournament last year.
The team of Brad Thomasson and Jack Thomasson finished fourth
in the Championship Flight with a 130 total and Bobby Wilborn
and Woody Clay finished fifth with a two-day total of 131.
Don Thompson and Kelly Chappell won the First Flight by a shot
over Lewis and Kris Mele.
Bob Tysinger and Tommy Spencer won the Second Flight after tiebreaking
procedures were used to unravel a three-way tie for the top spot.
Wes Bosiger and Chris Cole won the Third Flight and Scott Irby
and Lyn Johnston won the Fourth Flight.
Rinker congratulated Lurdy Stinespring and the course staff for
keeping the golf course in a playable condition through the rain.
"Lurdy, David Gaines and those boys did a good job over here
trying to get the course in shape to play," said Rinker.
"All of us appreciate the job they did."
RESULTS
Championship Flight
Phil Rinker-John Howerton - 64-60-124
W.J. Long-Brad Mele - 63-65-128
Mike Gregory-Jimmy Clay - 64-65-129
Brad Thomasson-Jack Thomasson - 65-65-130
Bobby Wilborn-Woody Clay - 65-66-131
First Flight
Don Thompson-Kelly Chappell - 68-65-133
James Lewis-Kris Mele - 70-74-134
Teddy Holt-Bill White - 70-65-135
Jeff Barger-Todd Bowman - 69-67-136
Roy Bradley-Derek Mason - 69-67-136
Second Flight
Bob Tysinger-Tommy Spencer - 71-70-141
Bob Thomasson-Mark Duncan - 73-68-141
Joel Cunningham, Jr. - Ricky Gee - 72-69-141
Third Flight
Wes Bosiger - Chris Cole - 78-72-150
Erle Orme-Mike Mills - 76-74-150
Bristol Martin - Frankie Bordeaux - 76-74-150
Fourth Flight
Scott Irby - Lyn Johnston - 81-79-160
Aubrey Houghton - Roger Scott - 84-80-164
Rick Hutcherson - Marvin Beck - 88-79-167
Mabel Carrington Edmondson, 82, of 1123
Cole Lane, Scottsburg, died May 26 at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mrs. Edmondson was born in Halifax County on December 20, 1920,
the daughter of the late John Paul Carrington and Addie Richardson
Carrington, and was married to the late James H. Edmondson. She
was a member of Piney Grove Baptist Church and also Cross Roads
Baptist Church.
Survivors of Mrs. Edmondson include two daughters, Ruth Pettus
of Alexandria and Jacqueline Coleman of Randallstown, MD; one
son, Wayne A. Edmondson of Scottsburg; one brother, Junious Carrington
of Alton; five grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be held tomorrow, May 29 at 1 p.m. at Piney
Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Whitfield Scott officiating.
Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
The family is receiving friends at the home.
Kenneth P. Wilkins, 53, of 1922 Jeffress
Blvd., South Boston, died May 24, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
Mr. Wilkins was born in Englewood, NJ, on October 14, 1949, the
son of Rosa Mae Coleman Wilkins and the late Levi Wilkins. He
was a member of Greater Mayfield Apostolic Church.
Survivors include his mother of Vernon Hill; six daughters, Sheila
Wilkins, Asza Smith and Corinthia Wilkins, all of NJ, April Parris
of FL, Kim Adefope and Nakeenia Adefope, both of South Boston;
one son, Joshua C. Wilkins of NJ; four grandchildren; and his
fiancee,' Vivian Adefope, of South Boston.
Funeral services for Mr. Wilkins will be held today, May 28, at
1 p.m. at Womack Chapel Holiness Church with Bishop Joseph Dixon
officiating. Burial will follow in the Coleman Family Cemetery
in Vernon Hill.