Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 22, 1994 TAG: 9409230106
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT LENGTH: Medium
Clyde Eugene Barrett, 23, was not seriously injured in the suicide attempt and was being monitored by sheriff's deputies Wednesday night, said Franklin County Sheriff W.Q. Overton.
Overton said he asked Franklin County Commonwealth's Attorney Cliff Hapgood to seek a court order to have Barrett committed to a psychiatric treatment facility.
Hapgood, who prosecuted Barrett and his wife, Alice, said Wednesday night that he was in the process of seeking the court order.
The Barretts' convictions stem from an incident last Halloween when their 9-month-old daughter was taken to a local hospital by a family friend. An examination found that the infant had a broken arm. Additional X-rays showed the girl suffered an untreated break in her other arm that had healed and a fractured shoulder that was also healing.
The girl has recovered from her injuries and has been placed with the county Social Services Department.
During his trial, Clyde Barrett was described by Hapgood as having a volatile temper. And, after being sentenced to three years in jail on Aug. 30, he yelled obscenities and pounded walls in the Franklin County Courthouse.
His wife left the courtroom in tears that day, but showed no emotion Wednesday when she was sentenced to 60 days in jail by Franklin County Circuit Judge William Alexander.
Alexander then suspended execution of the sentence when Alice Barrett, 17, decided to appeal the case.
She left the courtroom on $1,500 bond.
Hapgood, who was satisfied with Alice Barrett's sentence, later argued that she should serve at least part of the jail time instead of being released on bond pending the appeal.
"[Bond] is not going to help her," Hapgood said in an interview following the sentencing. "She'll be out there for two years before the Court of Appeals makes its decision."
The maximum sentence Alice Barrett faced was five years in prison.
Alexander granted her bond on the condition that she regularly attend intensive counseling sessions. He also told her to find a full-time job and to move out of the Callaway home she now shares with members of her family.
Alice Barrett's court-appointed attorney, Eric Ferguson, said he did not advise his client to appeal.
by CNB