Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 17, 1993 TAG: 9311170146
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MANASSAS LENGTH: Medium
Judge Richard B. Potter also found Louis Jefferson Dukes Jr. guilty of using a firearm to commit a felony, and of grand larceny.
Potter, who conducted a non-jury trial, set sentencing Jan. 20.
Trooper Jose Cavazos was shot Feb. 23 just off Interstate 95 near Dale City.
The judge said Dukes' actions during and after the shooting, even though he did not pull the trigger, showed "he was a willing participant."
Last month, a county jury convicted Lonnie Weeks Jr. of Fayetteville, N.C., of capital murder and recommended he be killed in the electric chair.
Weeks will be sentenced by Circuit Judge Herman A. Whisenant Jr. on Jan. 13.
"I'm really gratified with these verdicts," said Commonwealth's Attorney Paul Ebert. "Hopefully, it sends a message to people that you can't take the life of a law enforcement person."
Dukes showed no emotion as Potter read his verdict.
His family left without making any comments.
Cavazos' widow, Linda, did not attend the second trial.
"We're extremely disappointed," said Mark Crossland, one of two attorneys representing Dukes. "We thought we presented a good case. We're very unhappy."
Crossland said a decision on whether to appeal would come within the next 30 days or so.
Defense attorneys attempted to discredit the chief witness for the prosecution, Christopher Daniels, who shared a cell with Dukes while Dukes awaited trial.
Daniels testified Monday that Dukes told him he and Weeks discussed shooting Cavazos as soon as they saw the trooper's flashing lights come on.
Defense lawyers described Daniels as an opportunist hoping to win a reduction in sentence in return for his testimony.
Daniels is serving a 22-year sentence for armed robbery.
Memo: shorter version ran in the Metro edition.