Will Lodato Home Health Aide Testify in Severance Trial?

Will a home health aide who was at the scene when Ruthanne Lodato was shot at her home be allowed to testify at the trial of alleged serial killer Charles Severance in October?

Fairfax County Judge Jane Marum Roush will hear from prosectors about why the aide should be able to testify and defense attorneys about why she should not, at a hearing this morning in Fairfax, The Washington Post reports.

Severance, 54, is charged in the murders of 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 and was also the wife of then-sheriff, James Dunning. All were well-liked and all were shot in the middle of the day at their homes.

On Feb. 6 last year, the aide was working in Lodato’s home, caring for the music teacher’s elderly mother. After hearing a popping sound and a scream, she ran to the front door, where she ran into the gunman, the Post reported. She fell to the floor, he fired at her, but she survived.

Prosecutors want the aide to be able to testify as an eyewitness at the trial, which is scheduled to begin on Oct. 5.

Read the entire Washington Post story here.

PHOTO of Charles Severance/pool photo

• 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
• Judge Says Charles Severance Competent to Stand Trial: Reports