Ways and methods to insure that more inmates do not escape custody while awaiting courtroom procedures was the promise of jail officials this week who are trying to determine how the four who did make it to freedom were able to pull it off.
And having a key to unlock their hand and leg restraints may have been the single most important element in their bold and rapid exit of the courthouse.
"It appears to us they had a key in their possession," said Chris Webb, administrator for Blue Ridge Regional Jail Authority that is in charge of operations and security at the Halifax Adult Detention Center.
Webb described the key as "generic" and one that is rather easily duplicated.
The four inmates were wearing both arm and ankle restraints when they were moved from the Halifax jail to a holding area on the upper floor of the Circuit Court.
Two correctional officers were assigned to secure the four along with five other inmates who had arrived early Tuesday morning for hearings and sentencing. They were even given lunch while waiting.
One-by-one, the inmates were being escorted by one security officer to a restroom down the hall. It was at that point that the four "burst past" the second officer who began yelling for the prisoners to stop as he summoned assistance. The foot chase began and for three of the inmates, freedom lasted just minutes.
Captured approximately 200 yards from the courthouse were:
· Maurice Daniel Dance ­ serving six years for maliciously shooting against an occupied building and possession of a firearm. Four years were added to that sentence this week.
· Titus L. Singletary ­serving 11 years for malicious wounding and had nine years added for malicious wounding of Roger Traynham on November 26, 2000.
· Lawrence Harvey Everett, Jr. ­ serving 12 years for robbery, wearing a mask in public place, use of a firearm and firearm possession. He also faces charges of conspiring to and distributing cocaine.
The last to be captured was Theotis Marquette Johnson, an 18-year-old Chatham man who is serving 20 years for the November 2000 robbery of American National Bank near Chatham at Tightsqueeze. Johnson's capture came around 6:30 p.m., three hours after his escape and approximately 700 yards from the courthouse.
Johnson had shed his orange prison jumpsuit and when found hiding in the branches of a tree, was wearing only his underwear.
Webb said that there was no reason at this stage of the investigation to suspect that security officers or jail personnel may have been involved in any foul play. He speculated that the inmates may have been able to fashion a duplicate key themselves or, perhaps, were smuggled a key by someone visiting the inmates that would have included holding facilities beyond Halifax since some of the four had been incarcerated elsewhere.
Webb said that one of the inmates probably hid the key inside his mouth or other body cavity.
Blue Ridge Regional Jail correctional personnel share the task of courtroom security with the Halifax County sheriff's department. In turn, said Webb, Halifax sheriff's deputies assist Blueridge Regional Jail officials when work loads increase.
Webb said that plans are being made by Blueridge to meet with court and county officials involved in the process to review procedures and to make whatever changes, including physical enhancements, that would make the courtroom setting more secure.

Not just one, but two, courtrooms continued to operate simultaneously in Halifax this week as Circuit Court Judges Charles L. McCormick II and Leslie M. Osborn rendered verdicts and imposed sentences on scores of persons.
Among those sentenced on Wednesday by Judge Osborn was 20-year-old Antonio Dwight Woods of Halifax who was given 10 years each for abduction and robbery of Roger Crowe on January 25.
Woods was one of four codefendants charged with abducting the 18-year-old Halifax teen, placing him in the trunk of his own car and stealing the vehicle sound system. According to testimony, Crowe knew all four of those accused in the crime.
Judge McCormick ordered that the two 10-year prison terms run concurrent and suspended all but two years on conditions of the defendant's good behavior for a period of 10 years following his release that includes two years of active supervision by probation officers. Crowe was remanded to jail to begin serving the sentence.
· A South Boston 18-year-old teen whose troubles with the law began August 22, 2000, when he was charged with operating an ATV on a public highway, A week after being charged with that offense, Michael Lee Anderson was spotted a second time doing the same thing only this time, he attempted to elude Trooper L.G. Perkins .
Anderson was charged with eluding and endangerment (felony), operating an ATV on public highway and improper brakes.
Judge McCormick imposed a five-year, 30-day jail sentence on Anderson for the multiple infractions including one felony that drew a three-year penitentiary sentence alone.
Anderson was additionally charged with destroying personal property and petit larceny, crimes that he was given 12 months in jail for each offense.
The Philpott Road resident first appeared in juvenile court last October and while under the supervision of juvenile court authorities, tested positive for marijuana use. That offense drew a 30-day jail sentence.
All of the imposed sentence for Anderson was suspended except for 12 months on condition of his good behavior upon his release for five years. Anderson has been authorized for the work release program and must successfully complete two years of active probation.
For the traffic offenses, Anderson was fined a total of $200.
· Richard Gale Caudle, 65, of Virgilina, was sentenced to five years for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Judge McCormick directed that Caudle serve two years in local jail and then transfer to the home electronic monitoring (HEM) program.
Upon his release, Caudle will be placed under five years of probation and will be required to remain drug, alcohol and weapon-free.
· Alvin Crews, 35, of Nathalie was sentenced to 10 years, all suspended but two years, for forcible sodomy of a female between the age of 40 and 50. The crime occurred April 30, 2000 and an appeal of the case was sent to the Tenth Judicial Circuit where a motion for reconsideration was denied.
Crews was ordered to begin his jail sentence today and upon his release, must be of good behavior for 10 years.
· Samuel Richardson III, 42, Daniels Trail, Halifax, was found guilty of burning an occupied building and an auto on April 21. The mobile home was the residence of Debbie Marie Childress Palmer.
Richardson was remanded to jail to await sentencing on October 29.
· Christopher Paul Simmons, 20, Tanglewylde Drive, South Boston, was found guilty of hit and run (felony) stemming from his involvement in an accident (personal injury) on March 25. Simmons was also convicted of reckless driving (misdemeanor) and will be sentenced October 29.
· Mark Dwayne Brown, 28, Nathalie, pled guilty to cocaine possession on July 10, 2000, but Judge Osborn withheld a finding of guilt under the first offense status while ordering Brown to remain under supervision by court services providers.
· Shirley Reamer Fallen, 35, Clays Mill Road, Scottsburg, pled guilty to misdemeanor possession of marijuana but a finding of guilt was withheld under the first offense status.
· Jason Anthony Jackson, 20, Grove Avenue, South Boston, was found guilty of enhanced larceny (third conviction) of a video game from The Movie Gallery on May 1. He was remanded to jail to await sentencing on October 19.
· David Terrell Kelly, 22, Danville, was found guilty of violating probation conditions and Judge Osborn reimposed a four-year prison sentence ordered by the court for domestic assault and battery of Patricia Boxley.
· Anthony Melton, 39, Love Shop Park, South Boston, was found guilty of distribution of Schedule II controlled substance (40 pills containing codeine). Melton was sentenced to 12 months, all suspended except 60 days, and will be allowed to serve that sentence on weekends. Melton will be placed under supervised probation for one year following his release.
· Donnie Edward Newcomb, 40, Clays Mill Road, Scottsburg, pled guilty to possession of marijuana with intent to manufacture for his own use. Judge Osborn sentenced Newcomb to five years with all but 12 months suspended, six months to be served under the work release program.
Newcomb will be placed under two years probation following his release and his operator's license was suspended for six months.
· Mark William Womack, 21, Carrington Street, South Boston, was found guilty of eluding police on February 21, and remanded to jail to await sentencing on October 19.
· Edward Dean Ballou, 24, of South Boston, was convicted Tuesday in Halifax County Circuit Court of conspiracy to possess cocaine.
Ballou was remanded to custody until a presentence report due for the October term of court.
· Alton Fred Britton, 36, of Crystal Hill, was sentenced Tuesday to two years in prison for a felony bad check.
Judge Osborn suspended Britton's entire sentence on the condition of his good behavior for 10 years following his release.
The court additionally ordered a six-month probationary period for Britton and prohibited him from having a checking account for two years.
· Antoine Demargo White, 22, of South Boston, was sentenced Tuesday to 30 years in prison for the robbery of Anthony "Tony" Dean Jones.
White was also sentenced to 10 years each in prison for two cocaine distribution charges and one charge of conspiracy to distribute cocaine.
Judge Osborn suspended all but six years of the robbery conviction, and all but one year each for the drug charges, giving White an effective prison term of nine years.
The suspended portions of White's sentence was made conditional on his good behavior for 60 years.
The court additionally ordered White to be subjected to a probationary period of one year.
· Verlie Marion Word Jr., 29, of Halifax, was sentenced Tuesday to two years in prison for driving after being declared an habitual offender and to two years for eluding a police officer.
As the result of a separate indictment, Word was sentenced to 12 months in prison for a misdemeanor habitual offender conviction and to five years for cocaine possession.
Judge Osborn suspended Word's entire sentence to 12 months in the Detention and Diversion Center programs on the condition of Word's good behavior for five years.
The court additionally ordered Word to be subjected to a three-year probationary period, to start immediately.

Democrat Brad Wike is portraying himself as the working man's candidate for the 60th House District seat.
Although a political neophyte, Wike feels his work for Virginia Power in Charlotte County and his service on the state Consumer Advisory Board for electrical de-regulation has given him necessary experience for the job.
That panel, appointed by former Speaker of the House, Tom Moss, proposed legislation on energy efficiency and assistance for low-income families.
"I've worked at the legislature for a number of years on the electric utility de-regulation issue. That's one of the things that sparked my interest in politics," said Wike.
Wike added that he was also a member and business manager of his local union, serving on the team that negotiates labor contracts for 3,500 Virginia Power craft people.
"I'm very aware of workers compensation laws, unemployment compensation, workers' rights and those kinds of things."
Wike feels he can relate to working people on a personal level, saying there should be a renewed focus on workforce training and stemming job losses in Southside.
The Franklin, Indiana, native and Keysville resident said he would suggest reintroducing some sort of worker relief legislation to increase unemployment benefits and also provide health care for layed-off workers.
Wike said that unemployment amounts were figured as a percentage of the average weekly wage, adding that in Virginia the percentage was something like 44 percent.
"I don't know why it can't be raised," said Wike, adding that the rate was much higher in North Carolina.
Wike intends to address education issues if elected.
"We need to continue with workforce training. I've always been an advocate of vocational training," said Wike.
Wike said he agreed with what Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Warner is talking about, treating vocational training the same way as foundation educational training for people who plan to go to college.
"We still need craftsmen in this country," said Wike.
Technology is a wonderful thing, but it doesn't build buildings and roads."
Wike would also address teachers salaries.
"I've talked to a lot of school teachers and read a lot in the papers about the CEC, now the Southern Virginia Higher Education Center," said Wike.
"I know they're pretty upset about the SOLs and the low pay - we need to elevate salaries at least to the national average.
Wike repeated that his core issue concerned jobs and economic development.
"We need to talk about economic development and educational infrastructure and things such as raising teacher salaries," said Wike.
"The only way we can do about all these things and pay for the [elimination of] the car tax is to get more people working with better jobs.
As for the car tax itself, Wike said that the "bottom line is that it's a done deal and we're going to have to figure a way to pay for it now and move on."
Wike supports moving ahead at a slower pace in eliminating the car tax, in order to have less effect on the budget.
"North Carolina is eating our lunch in economic development," said Wike, who noted that many Southside residents work in North Carolina.
"We need to be more competitive with other states - North Carolina offers more incentives to bring business in.
"If you don't spend money for things such as economic development, you'll pay it for unemployment benefits.
"It's a very good investment to offer businesses incentive to come in here and set up shop, to provide good jobs for a well-trained workforce."
Wike supports the effort to widen Highway 501 beyond Lynchburg to Interstate 81.
"I certainly approve of VDOT funds to widen 501 to four lanes - that's one of our main arteries, the north-south corridor.
"We've got to be able to get our products to market. If we build it or make it here, we should be able to get it out of here."
Wike has endorsed the Ag Initiative 2002, a platform shaped by the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation and the Virginia Agribusiness Council in support of Virginia's agriculture system.
"Through my endorsement of the Ag Initiative 2002, I recognize that our farmers and foresters are inherent stewards of the environment and I encourage their continued efforts to preserve the quality of our waters, soils and air.
Wike said that "maintaining and expanding the agricultural industry means more jobs and more income."
"It is absolutely necessary that we don't take our farmers for granted. In times of drought or flood, when crops are devastated, it is imperative that governmental agencies provide farmers with the proper assistance that is necessary."
"I've gotten some very favorable reaction so far," said Wike, who added he thinks Southside residents will vote for the man, not the party."
"My opponent is a manager - he manages a business. I would say I'm a working man, not a businessman.
Wike characterizes himself as the EMS of the electric utility industry, one who who intially responds to emergencies, "blazing a trail and finding out what's wrong and what it's going to take to fix it."
He refers to himself as a true working man, one who actually gets out and works with his hands.
"A lot of people tell me it's great that somebody who actually works for a living like we do wants to go to the General Assembly and represent us."

Comets coach James Hodges says he has a new wrinkle up his sleeve.
Although he wouldn't go so far as to say what the new wrinkle is, Hodges indicated it may be unveiled tonight when the Comets face Bluestone here tonight in his team's home opener.
Kickoff time for tonight's Golden Corral Night game at Tuck Dillard Stadium is 7:30 p.m.
"Fans that saw us play last week against Dan River may see a new wrinkle in our offense," Hodges said yesterday.
Hodges wouldn't go on record to say what that wrinkle is or whether or not he'll definitely use it even if he will definitely pull it out of his hat, Hodges won't say.
"We might try something and see if it helps our passing game," Hodges said.
"Folks will just have to come out to the game and see," he said with a grin."
Hodges said he is happy that his team has the opportunity to play Bluestone.
"For one thing, it's a school that is close to us," Hodges said.
"The schools are close enough that a good number of fans from both schools can attend the games no matter which team is playing the other at home.
"It offers us an opportunity to build a rivalry with a nearby school," added Hodges.
"It's something that can be good for both schools. Local competition is always good. The Virginia High School League is looking at the neighborhood district deal and may go to it a couple of years from now. Who knows, maybe we could end up being in the same district one day."
Halifax County and Bluestone have played each other eight times in football.
Halifax County has won seven of the eight previous meetings of the two teams including the last one, a 59-0 triumph in 1972.
The two teams faced each other in the late 1950's and early 1960's with Halifax County winning 12-6 in 1956, logging a 32-6 win in 1957, posting a 21-10 triumph in 1958 and scoring a 12-0 shutout in 1959.
In the 1960's the Comets downed Bluestone 13-7 in 1960, scored an 18-0 shutout in 1963 and lost to Bluestone by a 7-0 score in 1964.
Hodges says he has seen videotaped footage of Bluestone's early scrimmages and is impressed with what he saw.
"I was really impressed with their execution on both offense and defense," Hodges said.
"It's really hard to know what to expect. I saw them on film and it's sometimes hard to judge. You really don't know what to expect until you get out into the field.
"If we can come out and cut down on our mistakes and take care of business we should be okay," he added.
"But there is always that question of what if."
Hodges said Bluestone likes to run its offense out of the shotgun formation.
"They do a good job with it," Hodges noted.
"They throw the ball a lot of out of the shotgun. The quarterback throws the ball well and he's a good athlete who can also run the ball. They have plays set up for him to run or throw out of the shotgun . They also have a running play set up for the back in the backfield."
Seeing the shotgun offense and a lot of it has both its good and bad points.
"It's good for us in that we expect to see it more later in the season," Hodges said.
"On the other hand, it's bad for us because it's obviously different than what we'd normally expect to see this early in the season. We've got to be prepared for it."
Hodges says it will take a good defensive effort to hold Bluestone in check.
"We've got to get pressure on the quarterback," Hodges said.
"That's important. He'll throw it if we give him time. The big thing is that we can't give up the big play."
Bluestone's defense is built around a 4-3 look and will provide the Comets' offensive unit a different look than what they have seen thus far.
"We need to do what we did last week against Dan River and, this time, not make the turnovers and mistakes like we did last week," Hodges stated.
"Our best game is running between the tackles and using the clock up. We need to score early, get on top and stay there."
The Comets took a lot of pressure off of themselves with their 21-6 triumph over Dan River last Friday.
However, this game, the "official" opener for both the Comets and Bluestone, has pressure of its own.
"This is our first game at home," Hodges said.
"We want to start off the season well here at home in front of our fans and give our fans something exciting to see so that they will keep coming out and supporting the kids."
Tonight's game is being sponsored by the Golden Corral restaurant in Centerville.
It is the third time in as many seasons that Golden Corral has sponsored the Comets' home opener.
"We appreciate Golden Corral coming on board to help us again this year," Hodges said.
"This is their third year of sponsoring our opening home game. They have been with us since we started having sponsors for our home games. We very much appreciate their support."

Katherine H. Booker Davidson

Katherine Horsley Booker Davidson of Halifax died August 29 at Westminster-Canterbury in Richmond from complications of Alzheimer's disease.
Mrs. Davidson was born in Lovingston in Nelson County on November 23, 1919, to the late Ruby Harris Horsley Turpin and the late Thomas Martin Horsley. She was twice married, first to Frank E. Booker Jr. of Halifax, and to J. Lyons Davidson of Lynchburg. Following the death of her first husband, she continued to operate the Halifax family business interests until she moved to Richmond.
Mrs. Davidson attended the College of William & Mary and graduated from Longwood College, where she served on its Board of Visitors for eight years, two of which as vice rector. She was a member of the Board of Trustees of Stuart Hall for Girls in Staunton, president of the South Central Virginia Flower Show judges and parliamentarian of the Women of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Southern Virginia.
In Halifax, she was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church, where she served on the vestry, was chairman of the 1973 Restoration Committee and president of the Women of the Church. She was president of the Halifax Parent-Teacher Association, president of the Banister River Garden Club, vice president of the Halifax Woman's Club and president of the Halifax County Women's Golf Association.
Mrs. Davidson was a member of The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the Commonwealth of Virginia, Lynchburg Committee, where she was historian. She was a trustee of the Lynchburg Academy of Music, a trustee of the Lynchburg Museum System, and was active in restoration efforts at Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest home.
She is survived by two daughters, Katherine Horsley Booker of Richmond and Mary Archer Booker Osborne of Halifax; a son, Frank E. Booker III of St. Simons Island, Ga.; one sister, Anne Horsley Wygal of Hilton Head, S.C.; two brothers, Dr. Thomas M. Horsley of Elizabeth City, N.C. and Ralph E. Turpin Jr. of Lovingston; three grandchildren, Frank E. Booker IV of Athens, Ga., Katherine McGuire Booker of Virginia Beach and Paul Cabell Osborne of Halifax. She was preceded in death by a brother, John Cabell Horsley.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, September 1, from St. John's Episcopal Church. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider St. John's Episcopal Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 905, Halifax 24558.

Margaret Elliott Blackmon

Margaret Elliott Blackmon, 71, of 8203 Bill Tuck Hwy., Virgilina, died August 29 at Danville Regional Medical Center.
Mrs. Blackmon was born in Halifax County on April 10, 1930, the daughter of Charlie T. Elliott and Maggie Glasscock Elliott and was married to Howard Taft Blackmon. She attended Hitesburg Baptist Church and was a retired textile worker of JPS.
A funeral service will be held tomorrow, September 1 at 2 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel with burial to follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
Survivors of Mrs. Blackmon include two daughters, Betty B. Townsend of Drakes Branch and Phyllis B. Matthews of Danville; one son, Howard Lewis Blackmon of Virgilina; four sisters, Janet Chappell of Vernon Hill, Molly Alease Holt of Milton, N.C., Irene Phillips of Virgilina and Bertha Phillips of Halifax; two brothers, Thomas Elliott and Bobby Elliott, both of Virgilina; five grandchildren; and one great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by two brothers, Berkley 'Dollbaby' Elliott and James Elliott; and one sister, Willie Lee Stembridge.
The family will receive friends this evening, August 31, between 7:00 and 8:30, at Brooks Funeral Home Chapel, and other times at the home.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider the American Cancer Society.