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

DATE: SUNDAY, January 2, 1994                   TAG: 9401020053
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LYNCHBURG                                LENGTH: Short

MAN CHARGED WITH TRYING TO POISON EX-GIRLFRIEND

Police have charged a Lynchburg man with breaking into his ex-girlfriend's home twice and trying to poison her with cleaning fluid in milk.

Richard R. Mario, 35, was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with two counts of attempted poisoning and two counts of breaking and entering with intent to poison. He was being held Saturday in the Lynchburg city jail without bond.

The first attempted poisoning occurred between Nov. 4 and Nov. 7, with the second instance following between Dec. 8 and Dec. 12, said Investigator Frank Londeree Jr. of the Lynchburg Police Department.

Londeree said Mario's former girlfriend was not injured in either attempt, but said the first time "she did take a couple of gulps."

When she realized the milk had been contaminated, Londeree said, she reported the incident to the Lynchburg police.

The second time the victim's home was broken into, Londeree said she noticed that the milk was discolored. He said a different cleaning fluid apparently was used the second time, but laboratory analyses on the milk samples have not been completed.

Police declined to release the woman's name.

If convicted, Mario faces a maximum of 20 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000 on each attempted poisoning charge. Each breaking and entering conviction carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

by CNB