Crime & Safety
Judge Says Charles Severance Competent to Stand Trial: Reports
Also: Man accused of murdering three prominent Alexandria residents in broad daylight wants trial to be held outside City of Alexandria.
Charles Severance has been found to be mentally competent to stand trial, The Washington Post reported on Wednesday.
Severance is accused of murdering three prominent Alexandria residents: Ruthanne Lodato, Ron Kirby and Nancy Dunning. Prosecutors have said they will not seek the death penalty.
Lodato was a mother, wife and music teacher killed after being shot on her doorstep Feb. 6, 2014; Kirby was a transportation planner, also shot and killed at his home, on Nov. 11, 2013. Dunning was a real estate agent, shot at her home on Dec. 5, 2003. All were well-liked and all were shot in the middle of the day at their homes.
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Judge Jane Marum Roush, a Fairfax County Circuit Court judge who stepped in after Alexandria judges recused themselves, made the decision, after ordering Severance be examined. She gave Severance’s attorneys extra time to examine the findings of his mental competency.They aren’t objecting to the finding that their client is competent to stand trial, the Post reported.
Severance’s lawyers are asking that the trial, set for October, be held outside of Alexandria. The change of venue request will be considered during Severance’s next court appearance on April 23, according to a report by WJLA.
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Severance, 54, is a former Alexandria resident and was most recently living in Ashburn.
- Alexandria Resident Ruthanne Lodato Killed in Shooting Thursday
- Shooting Victim Ruthanne Lodato was Mother of 3, Music Teacher
- Ruthanne Lodato Homicide: Alexandria Police Chief, Mayor Attempt to Reassure Community
- Alexandria Police Release Sketch of Suspected Shooter in Lodato Murder
- Police Restrict Access to Streets Around Shooting
- Ruthanne Lodato Funeral: Hundreds Gather to Say Goodbye
- Police to Hold News Conference on Lodato Homicide Investigation
- VIDEO: Alexandria Police Chief Doesn’t Rule Out Serial Killer
- What Ties Lodato Homicide to Other Victims?
- Prosecutor: Man Wanted for Questioning in Alexandria Slayings ‘A Danger’; 2 Guns Missing
- Public Defender Says Charles Severance Being Held on ‘Sham’ Charges
- Gov. McAuliffe Signs Extradition Order for ‘Person of Interest’ in Alexandria Killings
- Prosecutor: Charles Severance Served With Extradition Warrant
- Charles Severance’s Attorney Asks to Delay Extradition Hearing to April 24
- FBI, Police Search Water for Evidence in Connection with Three Alexandria Homicides
- Woman Reportedly Purchased Guns for Severance; Public Defender, Again, Asks for His Release Under ‘Sham’ Charges
- Charles Severance, ‘Person of Interest’ in Alexandria Shootings, Due in Court
- Judge: Severance Must Return to Virginia
- Charles Severance Set to Be Extradited to Virginia
- Charles Severance Transported Monday to Loudoun County Adult Detention Center
- Commonwealth’s Attorney Won’t Seek Death Penalty in Severance Case
- Accused Murderer Charles Severance Moved to Alexandria
- Judge Who Presided Over Sniper Trial to Rule on Murder Case Against Severance
- Alexandria Sheriff: Charles Severance Moved to Arlington Jail
- Charles Severance Has Year to Prepare Defense in Murder Trial
- Judge Orders Severance Hospitalized for Mental Evaluation: Report
- Judge Gives Severance Attorneys More Time to Evaluate Mental Competency Findings: Reports
PHOTO: Charles Severance booking photo
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