Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 9, 1991 TAG: 9103090430
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: FAIRFAX LENGTH: Medium
Jurors recommended a 50-year sentence for Caleb Hughes, a former resident of Christiansburg and Blacksburg. Hughes was charged with abduction with intent to defile in the Dec. 3, 1989, disappearance of Melissa Brannen from a Lorton apartment building.
Melissa was last seen at a Christmas party at her apartment building. She never has been found.
Sentencing for Hughes, a former groundskeeper at the apartment, was scheduled for April 12. Under Virginia law, the sentencing judge cannot impose a longer sentence than is recommended by the jury.
"This isn't really a victory because I still don't have my daughter back," said Melissa's mother, Tammy Brannen, after the verdict was read.
". . . Our family is going to do everything in our power to see he never gets paroled."
During Hughes' trial, defense attorney Peter Greenspun portrayed his client as a victim of overzealous investigators.
"I don't understand the verdict, and I don't know that I can explain it," Greenspun said. "I don't think the commonwealth proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt."
Greenspun told jurors prosecutors presented no fingerprints, no blood, no semen, no signs of struggle and no witnesses who saw anyone take the girl from the Christmas party.
But prosecutors said a strand of hair and red and blue clothing fibers found in Hughes' car proved the girl had been in the car the night she vanished.
Fairfax County Commonwealth's Attorney Robert Horan said although most of the evidence against Hughes was circumstantial, it was strong.
"I think the jury had to believe the girl was in the front seat of the car. I think the evidence was overwhelming that she was in that automobile," he said. "I think he intended to sexually molest her. I think that's why he took her, and that's what the jury found."
"The man was guilty," Brannen said. "I know a lot more than the press knows and what the jury knew, and I knew the man was guilty from day one."
Horan said if Melissa's body ever is found, murder charges would be filed against Hughes.
by CNB