Friday, June 26, 2009
Assault charge against Roanoke Democratic chairman dismissed
An assault charge against Roanoke City Democratic Committee Chairman Tony Reed was dismissed this afternoon.
Substitute General District Court Judge Frank Greenwalt of Martinsville said the prosecution did not present sufficient evidence to proceed with the case and upheld a defense motion to dismiss the charge after almost two hours of testimony.
Mark Powell, who was the campaign manager of Martin Jeffrey's Democratic primary campaign for the Virginia House of Delegates' seat now held by Onzlee Ware, filed the charge against Tony Reed.
Reed verbally and physically intimidated Powell on April 10 during arguments over access to Ware's campaign documents, according to Powell's complaint.
Greenwalt was called to hear the case after Roanoke's circuit judges stepped aside because witnesses included three of Roanoke's constitutional officers, including Commonwealth's Attorney Donald Caldwell.
During today's testimony, Caldwell, Commissioner of the Revenue Sherman Holland and Treasurer Evelyn Powers said that Powell and Reed engaged in heated arguments on April 10, but said they never rose to the level of being physically threatening.
Jill Deegan, an assistant commonwealth's attorney in Botetourt County, presented the prosecution's case, which was based on complaint Powell filed with a magistrate the day after the confrontations.
Jeffrey lost the primary election to Ware in June.
Substitute General District Court Judge Frank Greenwalt of Martinsville said the prosecution did not present sufficient evidence to proceed with the case and upheld a defense motion to dismiss the charge after almost two hours of testimony.
Mark Powell, who was the campaign manager of Martin Jeffrey's Democratic primary campaign for the Virginia House of Delegates' seat now held by Onzlee Ware, filed the charge against Tony Reed.
Reed verbally and physically intimidated Powell on April 10 during arguments over access to Ware's campaign documents, according to Powell's complaint.
Greenwalt was called to hear the case after Roanoke's circuit judges stepped aside because witnesses included three of Roanoke's constitutional officers, including Commonwealth's Attorney Donald Caldwell.
During today's testimony, Caldwell, Commissioner of the Revenue Sherman Holland and Treasurer Evelyn Powers said that Powell and Reed engaged in heated arguments on April 10, but said they never rose to the level of being physically threatening.
Jill Deegan, an assistant commonwealth's attorney in Botetourt County, presented the prosecution's case, which was based on complaint Powell filed with a magistrate the day after the confrontations.
Jeffrey lost the primary election to Ware in June.
