Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, September 8, 1994 TAG: 9409080091
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Lanier isn't talking.
Tuesday, a Circuit Court grand jury charged Lanier with attempting to maliciously wound Doug Harwood with a pickup truck in August.
Police reports say that Lanier, 43, of Buena Vista, threatened Harwood, 41, editor of the Rockbridge Advocate, after Harwood wrote a story about the suicide of Lanier's brother.
Robert Lanier, a Buena Vista lawyer, shot himself to death July 18. A bench warrant had been issued for his arrest after he failed to show up for court to explain his handling of money in a court-regulated trust fund.
Lexington police Lt. Steve Crowder said Lanier called Harwood on Aug. 3 to discuss the story.
``[Lanier] said he didn't mind inflicting injury on Doug,'' Crowder said.
Nine days later, as Harwood started across a street at a stoplight in downtown Lexington, a man motioned him to go ahead.
Harwood told police that he didn't recognize the man as Lanier and thought the driver was just being courteous.
As Harwood stepped from the curb, the engine of the pickup raced as the vehicle lunged forward, police said. The driver stopped, looked back at Harwood, and yelled ``chickens---'' before driving off.
Harwood then noticed a ``Lanier Lawn Mower Service'' sign on the the truck, police said.
Lexington police Officer Hugh Ferguson later talked with Lanier at his shop about the complaint.
``It must be Doug Harwood,'' Lanier said, according to police reports. ``My foot slipped off the brake.''
A magistrate refused to issue a warrant, but Harwood later discussed the incident with Rockbridge County Commonwealth's Attorney Eric Sisler, who presented the indictment to the grand jury Tuesday.
Memo: ***CORRECTION***