Commonwealth's Attorney Won't Seek Death Penalty in Severance Case

The Commonwealth’s Attorney won’t be seeking the death penalty for Charles Severance, who was indicted Monday for the murders of three high-profile Alexandrians.

A statement from the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney issued Monday reads:

On September 8, 2014, the Grand Jury for the City of Alexandria handed down a ten-count indictment against Charles Severance, alleging that Mr. Severance murdered Nancy Dunning, Ronald Kirby and Ruthann Lodato.

Severance was charged with a total of ten counts:

1) Capital Murder of Ruthann Lodato, 2) Use of a Firearm in the Commission of Murder, 3) Malicious Wounding, 4) Use of a Firearm in the Commission of Malicious Wounding,

5) Capital Murder of Ronald Kirby, 6) Use of a Firearm in the Commission of Murder,

7) First Degree Murder of Nancy Dunning, 8) Use of a Firearm in the Commission of Murder, 9) Felon in Possession of a Firearm and 10) Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

The Commonwealth has informed the Circuit Court that it does not intend to seek the death penalty. Therefore, the maximum penalty for these offenses is life in prison.

PHOTO: Bryan Porter presently serves as Commonwealth’s Attorney in Alexandria. He has been a prosecutor since 2001 and began his first term as Commonwealth’s Attorney in January 2014.