Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, September 9, 1994 TAG: 9409090070
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Ren Heard, a well-known renovator who once was "master builder" for the Explore Park, was indicted this week by a grand jury in Roanoke Circuit Court.
The indictment alleges that Heard had "carnal knowledge" of a 14-year-old girl sometime between Jan. 1 and July 23 of 1991, according to Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Gerald Teaster.
Heard is not accused of using force, but faces up to 10 years in prison because of the victim's age.
At a hearing Thursday, Circuit Judge Richard Pattisall granted a motion allowing defense attorney Deborah Caldwell-Bono to withdraw from the case as Heard's counsel, a request both she and Heard made.
Caldwell-Bono said she could not elaborate on the reasons, except to say "the attorney-client relationship has been damaged beyond repair."
Heard, who said he plans to hire another attorney, also asked Pattisall if he could present a motion he had prepared asking that his trial be closed to the public. The judge told Heard to wait until he has legal representation before considering such a step. No trial date has been set.
Heard, who remains free on bond, declined to comment after the hearing.
As a founder of the West End Association, Heard has worked closely with police and neighborhood residents in organizing citizen crime patrols. Heard has said earlier that he hopes the group's activities would drive drug dealers and other "punks" away from the neighborhood, which is just west of downtown.
Heard, who runs a contracting firm called Renovation Specialists, worked as a builder for Virginia's Explore Park until 1990, when his contract was not renewed.
by CNB