VIRGINIA LACROSSE SLAYING
Appeals court expands ex-U.Va. lax star's appeal
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia's Court of Appeals has expanded the issues that can be brought up on appeal by a former University of Virginia lacrosse player convicted of killing his ex-girlfriend.
The court ruled late Friday that attorneys for George Huguely V can raise three additional issues as he seeks a new trial. The Chevy Chase, Md., man is asking that the court overturn his conviction of second-degree murder in the May 2010 beating death of Yeardley Love.
The appeals court already had agreed to hear arguments on two trial errors claimed by Huguely's attorneys. It was asked Tuesday to broaden the appeal to include other issues raised after his conviction.
Huguely attorney Paul Clement said in an email that he was pleased with the court's ruling.
Prosecutors did not immediately comment.
SUPREME COURT-JURY OR JUDGE
Court says jury should have final say in minimums
WASHINGTON (AP) - The Supreme Court says a jury should have the final say on facts that can trigger mandatory minimum sentences in criminal trials.
The high court on Monday overturned the sentencing in Allen Alleyne's case in a 5-4 judgment. He was convicted of robbery and firearm possession in Richmond, Va. The jury said Alleyne's accomplice did not brandish a weapon, but the judge said he did, raising Alleyne's minimum sentence from five to seven years on that charge.
Alleyne's lawyers say the brandishing decision should have been the jury's. Instead, the judge made his determination using a lower standard of proof. The Justice Department argued that the current system has been used successfully for years.
The justices sent the case back for resentencing.
SHOPPERS-SLASHER
Man admits to backside slashings in northern Va.
FAIRFAX, Va. (AP) - A former day laborer has pleaded guilty to sneaking up on multiple women in Fairfax County and cutting their backsides with a razor blade or box cutter.
Johnny Guillen Pimentel pleaded Monday in Fairfax County Circuit Court to two counts each of malicious wounding and unlawful wounding for the attacks, which occurred over several months in 2011.
He was suspected of slashing nine different women at various retail outlets, including Tysons Corner Center. The Washington Post reports (http://wapo.st/11GHLx2 ) that under a plea deal, five other counts were dropped.
Neither prosecutors nor Guillen Pimentel's attorney gave any indication of why he carried out the attacks.
He was arrested in January 2012 after fleeing to his native Peru.
He faces up to seven years in prison at a Sept. 6 sentencing.
BARK CAMP DROWNING
Man, horse drown in Bark Camp Lake
COEBURN, Va. (AP) - The U.S. Forest Service says a man drowned while trying to help a horse at Bark Camp Lake Recreation Area.
Ranger Jorge Hershel with the forest service's Clinch Ranger District on Monday identified the victim as 55-year-old Steven Burke of Nickelsville.
Hershel tells the Bristol Herald Courier the man was bringing the horse out of the water when the accident occurred Saturday afternoon. Investigators haven't determined whether the man was riding the horse or was beside it.
Officials say the horse panicked while in the water and that Burke tried to rescue it.
Hershel says horses aren't permitted in the recreation area.
BOYS STATE
American Legion Boys State moves to Radford
LYNCHBURG, Va. (AP) - About 800 high school students have gathered in Radford for the 71st annual American Legion Boys State.
Lynchburg had hosted the annual summer event for more than 40 years.
American Legion Boys State spokesman Chuck Cunningham tells The News & Advance the event was moved to Radford University because dormitory space at Liberty University has been reduced by a construction program.
Cunningham says he doesn't know when the weeklong event might return to Lynchburg. The organization has a multiyear agreement to hold Boys State at Radford.
Girls State is being held at Longwood University in Farmville, its usual location.
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