Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, February 3, 1994 TAG: 9402030226
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Circuit Judge Clifford Weckstein said he had "serious concerns" about Michael Scott Hairston's possible danger to himself or others if he were released.
Hairston, 26, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Judith Cook, 40, his on-and-off girlfriend.
Cook's body was found on the floor of her Windsor Avenue apartment the morning of Dec. 13. She had been stabbed in the back eight times and struck in the head nine times with a baseball bat.
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Wanda DeWease cited the "brutal nature" of the killing in asking Weckstein not to reduce Hairston's bond.
DeWease also cited letters that Hairston has written to the victim's family since he was arrested. While the letters were not threatening, she said the family considered them harassing.
But Assistant Public Defender Roger Dalton said the letters were "in the nature of an apology for what happened."
Hairston has admitted to police that he killed Cook, but said it was in self-defense after she grabbed a kitchen knife during an argument, according to testimony.
Hairston testified at Tuesday's hearing that he expects to spend some time in jail but needs to be free while awaiting trial so he can prepare his defense and take care of personal matters.
Hairston admitted he is addicted to crack cocaine and attempted suicide shortly before the Dec. 13 killing.
by CNB