By Michael Copley
Staff Writer
mcopley@powhatantoday.com

A Powhatan County prosecutor withdrew a charge of rape against John B. Royal III because of evidence that was discovered after the preliminary hearing. 

In asking Judge James F. D’Alton Jr. to drop the charge against Royal, Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Richard Cox said he spoke with the accuser and she agreed it was the “appropriate motion.”

Under the court’s ruling, the charge could be reinstated.

Defense attorney Craig Cooley said the evidence in the case is insufficient, “Now or at anytime.”

A grand jury charged Royal, 41, with raping a 23-year-old woman January 2 inside his home on Judes Ferry Rd.

At a preliminary hearing in March, a defense witness- a man who said he participated in what transpired January 2- testified that sexual intercourse was consensual.

District Court Judge Paul Cella certified the case to a grand jury based, he said, on the accuser’s testimony.

Royal still faces seven other charges in Powhatan: Possession of ammunition by a convicted felon, filing a false report with police, insurance fraud, forgery and two counts of forgery utterance.

A trial date for those charges is scheduled for September 10.