Plea agreement reached in infant death: (Danville, Va.) -- What was to have been a four-day jury trial ended Monday with guilty pleas from Michael Motley, Senior.
Motley pleaded guilty to child abuse and felony murder in the death of his ten-week-old son, but maintained the death was an accident. He was sentenced to 14 years by Judge Joseph Milam.
Danville Police were called to a home on Wendell Scott Drive in March of 2010 and found Michael Motley, Jr unresponsive. His father phoned 911 from a neighbor's home to report that his child was not breathing and "might be dead." When rescue crews arrived, the baby could not breath on its own and had no pulse. The child was taken initially to Danville Regional Medical Center and then airlifted to Duke, where he was declared brain dead two days later.
The body was taken to Roanoke, where the medical examiner determined that death was caused by "traumatic brain injuries."
Motley told police the child's mother, Melissa Watkins, was at work and he was caring for the two children. He said he had just changed the baby when he tripped on a toy. As he fell, Motley said the infant hit the arm of a child's chair and that he landed on top of him. The father told investigators the baby appeared to be okay, so he placed the boy back in his bed. But when he checked 5-to-10 minutes later, the boy wasn't breathing and was spitting up blood.
The prosecution's medical expert said the injuries were not consistent with the father's story and that the baby died of bleeding on the brain and also suffered broken ribs. But doctors for the defense said the injuries were consistent with the defendant's version and that the brain swelling was caused by a lack of oxygen.
The judge sentenced Motley to a total of 40 years, then suspended all but 14 years of the term.
Reward offered in domesticated rat abuse case: (Danville, Va.) -- The Danville Humane Society is offering $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who wrapped a pet rat in masking tape and left the rodent on the street.
It happened Saturday on North Avenue. Police found a domesticated rat – the kind sold at pet stores – encased in masking tape with its legs tightly bound.
Humane Society Executive Director Paulette Dean believes children may have been responsible. And she points out that domesticated rats receive the same protections as dogs and cats under the cruelty statutes in Virginia. Lynn Shelton, Danville Humane Society board president, said, “Make no mistake, if someone will do this to a rat, they will do it to a dog, cat, or other animal. We take any animal abuse seriously.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact the animal shelter at 799-5306.
Autopsy shows teen drowned: (Yanceyville, N.C.) -- The Medical Examiner's Office in Roanoke, Virginia has determined that a Yanceyville teen's drowning death was an accident and the Caswell County Sheriff’s Office has referred the case to the Caswell Department of Social Services Child Protective Division for review.
13-year-old Damien Farmer jumped into a reservoir behind the Yanceyville Water Plant last Tuesday and drowned. Sheriff's deputies were unable to retrieve the body because of the water temperature and depth. The Danville Rescue Dive Team responded and found Farmer in 24-feet of water. He was transported to Danville Regional Medical Center, where Farmer was pronounced dead the following morning.
Farmer was a student at Dillard Middle School.
Budget debate picks up in Danville: (Danville, Va.) -- To hike or not to hike. That was the big debate at last night's Danville City Council meeting. Councilman Fred Shanks (pictured, left) says tax hikes should be their last resort to plug an estimated two (m) million dollar shortfall. But he's worried City Council isn't insisting the City Manager look at every available spending cut. But Doctor Gary Miller (pictured, right) says there's only so many cuts to make. He thinks some manner of tax increase may be inevitable. The discussions came less than a week after Danville School leaders announced they were exploring the possible shutdown of W-Townes Lea Elementary School to make up their OWN shortfall. City Manager Joe King will offer a budget proposal before the end of March.
Welfare drug-testing bill clears committee: (Richmond, Va.) -- The House Health, Welfare and Institutions Committee yesterday passed a Senate bill that would require drug testing for welfare recipients. Those who test positive could lose benefits for up to a year. Southside State Senator Bill Stanley voted in favor of the measure when it cleared the Senate by a tie-breaking vote last week. Earlier this month, the House Appropriations Committee tabled a House version of the plan due to costs - estimated to be more than a $1 million. But the sponsor of the Senate measure told the House panel yesterday that the cost of drug tests would be much less than originally thought.
Another battle brewing over sectarian prayer: (Salisbury, N.C.) -- A North Carolina county is following Pittsylvania County's lead---bucking the ACLU in favor of sectarian prayers. Commissioners in Rowan County say they're going to continue opening their meetings with Christian prayers, despite a recent Supreme Court action upholding a ban on the practice. A huge crowd attended the commission meeting Monday night to support the decision. Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of a federal court decision banning prayers for a specific religion at public meetings in Forsyth County. Four out of five Rowan commissioners say they'll keep Christian prayers on their agenda. The North Carolina chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has sent letters to around 30 government bodies around the state reminding them about the ruling. Legal director Katy Parker says Rowan is so far the only one to say they plan to keep specific prayer. The Virginia ACLU sued Pittsylvania County last year over sectarian prayers at their meetings. A judge has ordered the county to stop the prayers while the case is in litigation.
Man killed in Sunday crash: (Danville, Va.) -- State Police are not saying if the snow caused a fatal crash Sunday evening near Gretna. 52-year old Curtis Birchfield of Gretna died in a single-vehicle crash at around 5-30 Sunday afternoon. That was a couple of hours after a wintry mix turned to all snow. Troopers say Birchfield’s 1989 Dodge Dakota pickup ran off the right side of State Route 640. He hit an embankment and overturned. State Police Sergeant Bob Carpentieri says Birchfield was ejected. He was not wearing a seat belt. Birchfield was pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.
New jobs coming to Southside: (Martinsville, Va.) -- Laminate Technologies is planning to open a manufacturing facility in Henry County. Gov. Bob McDonnell says at least 30 jobs will be created. Laminate Technologies will invest $2 million. The company produces customized laminated panels and fabricated components and is a supplier to kitchen cabinet manufacturers in the area. McDonnell says in a news release that the Henry County site will enable the company to better serve its markets. The Tobacco Commission approved $110,000 for the project. McDonnell approved a $50,000 grant from the Governor's Opportunity Fund to assist Henry County with the project.
Pelham men face drug charges: (Pelham, N.C.) -- Two Pelham men will make their preliminary court appearance in Caswell County tomorrow---a few days after they were arrested in a search of their home. Caswell County deputies assisted State Probation officials this weekend in serving a search warrant at 32-year old Dennis Devon Murphy's home on old U.S. Highway 29 in Pelham. Murphy (pictured, left) is on probation for previous convictions. Inside, authorities say they found about ten grams of crack cocaine, nearly 12-hundred dollars cash, and a set of digital scales. Murphy is charged with possession with the intent to distribute, conspiracy, and maintaining a house for drug activity. He's being held under a quarter (m) million dollars bond in the Caswell County Detention Facility. Another resident of the home---21-year old Marquis Slade, (pictured, right) is being held under 50-thousand dollars bond on two conspiracy counts.
Stanley bucks ignition interlock bill: (Richmond, Va.) -- A bill that would require first time DUI offenders to use ignition interlock devices on their cars is moving forward in the General Assembly, but the bill is also drawing strong opposition. With the ignition interlock device installed in the dashboard of a car, drivers must blow before they can go. Similar to a breathalyzer, it can detect alcohol on a driver's breath and prevent the car from starting. A new bill would require the device for all DUI offenders. That’s a bit much for Southside State Senator Bill Stanley. He’s worried about unintended consequences. The House and Senate have passed different versions of the same bill. A conference committee will have to hammer out the differences.
Discarded smoking materials spark house fire: (Danville, Va.) --A discarded cigarette sparked a house fire in North Danville Sunday night. Danville Fire Captain D-R Swiney says the call came in just before nine o-clock from Granville Drive. Firefighters discovered about half of the house was engulfed in flames. 17 firemen spent about two hours at the scene. No one was hurt in the blaze.
A Sunday afternoon accident on Route 58 west in Danville (Richard Davis photo)
The Mike Harvey Show
(Danville, Va.) -- What was to have been a four-day jury trial ended Monday with guilty pleas from Michael Motley, Senior.
(Danville, Va.) -- The Danville Humane Society is offering $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who wrapped a pet rat in masking tape and left the rodent on the street.
(Danville, Va.) -- 
(Martinsville, Va.) -- 
(Pelham, N.C.) -- 
(Richmond, Va.) -- 
