Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, January 23, 1993 TAG: 9301230316
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A-5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MARK MORRISON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
GUN CHARGES MOVED TO FEDERAL COURT
Gun charges against a state parolee who killed his father and wounded his brother during a shooting spree in 1978 have been dropped in Botetourt County and moved to federal court, where he could face a much longer prison term.James Robert "Rocky" Broughman, 40, had been charged in Botetourt with possession of a firearm after having been convicted of a felony. The crime carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison, with the chance of an early parole.
Broughman also could have been sentenced to finish the remaining 25 years left on his 40-year murder conviction, again with the possibility of an early parole and probation.
The dropping of that charge was arranged Thursday by Botetourt County prosecutor Rob Hagan, however, after a federal grand jury agreed to indict Broughman on federal firearm charges, which could carry a longer sentence and no chance for an early parole.
Under the federal charge, Broughman could face 10 years with no parole on a firearms conviction, plus an additional 15 years - again with no parole - under the provisions of a federal law designed to keep some convicted felons behind bars who are caught with guns after their release.
Finishing his remaining time on the murder conviction also could be considered.
Broughman was arrested in September after authorities in Botetourt seized six loaded guns and several hundred rounds of ammunition at his home on Stony Battery Road in Troutville.
He was convicted in 1978 of killing his father, shooting his younger brother and abducting the chief of the Troutville Rescue Squad at gunpoint, before surrendering to police. He later said the gun he used was the only friend he had and he kissed its barrel.