Friday, June 8, 2007

The weekly recap

The following selected stories appeared in the Virginia Lawyers Weekly Daily E-Mail Alert from June 5 to June 8. The originating source of a story is indicated after the item. Please note that not all links may remain active. If you are not presently receiving the Daily Alert, please click here to sign up.

June 5

Rep. Jefferson indicted on corruption charges

Rep. William J. Jefferson, D-La., has been indicted on corruption charges in federal court in Alexandria, reports the Washington Post.

Roanoke law firm mulls move, stays put

Officials at Gentry Locke Rakes Moore thought long and hard about moving into the Heironimus Building in downtown Roanoke, a structure built as a furniture store in 1905. But according to the Roanoke Times, the firm will remain in the SunTrust Bank Building.

Father sues restaurant following teen's death

The father of a teen killed in March by a man police say was a drunken driver has filed a $10 million lawsuit against the restaurant that allegedly served alcohol to the man and allowed him to drive, reports The Virginian-Pilot.

June 6

Richmond grocer’s case now with the jury

A Richmond circuit jury will resume deliberations this morning in the case of a former grocer who claims a Minnesota-based grocery wholesaler ruined his business, reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The jury got the case yesterday after 11 days of testimony.

Suffolk prosecutor leaves post to head hospital program

Marie Walls, the deputy commonwealth’s attorney in Suffolk, is leaving that position after almost seven years on the job to become the director of the child-abuse program at a local hospital, reports The Virginian-Pilot.

Law firm to advise Tech shootings panel

Gov. Tim Kaine and Attorney General Bob McDonnell announced yesterday that they have agreed to have an outside law firm advise the special panel studying the Virginia Tech shootings, reports The Associated Press. Lawyers from the DC office of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP will handle the work on a pro bono basis.

Spotsylvania J&DR clerk to run for circuit clerk

Christy Jett, clerk of the Spotsylvania County J&DR Court since 1999, has announced that she will run for Circuit Clerk, reports The Free Lance-Star. She is challenging incumbent Paul Metzger.

Couple who served alcohol to teens headed to jail

George and Elisa Robinson, the now-divorced Albemarle County couple that was sentenced to 27 months in jail for serving alcohol to teens nearly five years ago, will be reporting the jail Monday, reports The Daily Progress. The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear their appeal.

Abingdon’s Judge Brown dies at 77

Retired General District Judge David Brown, who served as Washington County commonwealth’s attorney for many years before going on the bench in 1982, died last week at the age of 77. The Bristol Herald Courier has the obituary.

June 7

Abingdon drive-in gets landmark status

Two state agencies yesterday approved placing the Moonlite Theatre, an old-style drive-in near Abingdon, on the Virginia Landmarks Register, reports the Bristol Herald Courier. The agencies also will recommend that the Moonlite be added to the National Register of Historic Places.

Ex-grocer wins $16M verdict in Richmond

Johnny Johnson, former owner of the Community Pride grocery stores in the Richmond area, sued Supervalu, a large grocery supplier, for essentially forcing him out of business. Yesterday the jury returned a $16 million verdict in his favor, reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch.

Longtime Pittsylvania Circuit Clerk to seek another term

H.F. Haymore Jr., who has served as Circuit Clerk in Pittsylvania County for 23 years, announced yesterday he will seek a fourth term in November, reports the Danville Register & Bee.

June 8

Feds search Vick property in Surry County

Federal agents and state police, apparently using a federal search warrant, were digging at the Surry County property owned by Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick, reports the Richmond Times-Dispatch. The Surry commonwealth’s attorney said he was “absolutely floored” to see the feds involved in the dogfighting investigation at the Vick home.

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