Reports compiled by
Michael Copley, staff writer

• Accessory in Taliaferro murder ordered to jail after new charges

One of the people charged as an accessory after the fact in the murder of 18-year-old Tahliek Taliaferro has been ordered to jail for a probation violation and six new charges.

The deferred disposition granted to David Thomas Franklin was revoked and he was ordered to serve three months on a ten year prison sentence.

Six charges of accessory after the fact and obstruction of justice have been brought against Franklin and his girl friend Bennett Davis, for their roles in transporting Ethan Parrish, Joey Parrish, and Stephanie Reynolds to the Canadian border after the murder of Tahliek Taliaferro.

• Warren issues strong warning in distribution case

“You need to be living at the foot of the cross until all this is over,” said Judge Thomas Warren to Robert Francis Belcher November 10.

The Commonwealth reduced a felony drug distribution charge against Belcher to misdemeanor possession of a schedule one or two substance and the case will be carried over for one year.

“Do what you’re supposed to do,” said Warren, “I can’t stress how important it is, at the age of 20, not to have a felony on your record.”

• Woman pleads guilty to driving while high on drugs

State Police responded to a two car accident April 21, 2008, in Powhatan. According to police, Lorre Ann Braddy side-swiped the car beside her.

Braddy admitted to EMS technicians she used cocaine that day and upon a search, police found drug paraphernalia in Braddy’s purse. An MCV blood test revealed .44mg of methadone per liter of blood, enough to “impair motor functions,” said Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Richard Cox.

The court accepted Braddy’s guilty plea and sentencing will be taken up in December.

• Judge orders drug case carried over for man with clean record

Deputy Gregory stopped a slow moving car November 29, 2007 in Powhatan. Leroy Coles III was the passenger and during the traffic stop, the trooper found a bag of marijuana and two pipes and spoons. The spoons tested positive for cocaine residue in lab reports and Coles pled guilty to possession of cocaine.

It was noted that Coles had no prior criminal record and the court granted him deferred disposition, carrying the case over for one year.

“This is a drop dead sort of thing,” said Judge Warren, “If you mess up, that’s the end of probation.”