
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: FRIDAY, April 12, 1991                   TAG: 9104120657
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: Southwest bureau
DATELINE: TAZEWELL                                LENGTH: Short

40 YEARS UPHELD FOR RAPES

A circuit judge has upheld a 40-year sentence he had imposed earlier on a man who pleaded guilty to two rape charges.

Attorneys for Ronnie Gene Dennis of Tazewell sought a sentence reduction at a hearing Wednesday before Judge Donald Mullins.

Mullins said he had taken Dennis' demeanor and apparent lack of remorse into consideration in imposing two 40-year sentences, with 20 years of each one suspended. The defense said Dennis suffers from mental retardation that prevents him from showing such emotion.

Dennis, who had admitted the two offenses last year, gave conflicting testimony when he took the stand at the sentencing hearing. He apologized for committing the acts, then denied committing them. His attorneys said this was further evidence of retardation.

Commonwealth's Attorney Tom Bowen argued that, while Dennis suffers from mild retardation, he was able to complete the 10th grade in school.

The prosecutor said Dennis still was as capable of violent acts as he had been. He had been out on bond after being charged with the first rape when the second was committed.

Mullins said he was aware of the defendant's mental limits when he imposed the original sentence, and saw no reason to alter it.

The case was the first in Tazewell County in which DNA testing was used as evidence.

by CNB