Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 4, 1994 TAG: 9402040131
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PULASKI LENGTH: Medium
Ornes had faced a maximum punishment of two life terms.
Six other charges against Ornes - five counts of attempted rape of the girl and one charge of attempted malicious wounding of a woman, both of whom he knew - were dropped in November.
Court records reflected that Ornes had entered an Alford plea - used when a defendant says he is innocent but does not want to risk a jury trial - to the two rape charges in November. But Thursday the record was changed to a no-contest plea, which was the plea Ornes had intended in November.
Ornes took the stand Thursday and denied hurting the woman or the girl. He also told Judge Dow Owens of Pulaski County Circuit Court that he wanted to withdraw his plea and have a trial.
"Sir, I was put behind the eight ball," Ornes said.
He said he pleaded no contest "because everything was working against me."
He said he feared conviction on all charges if he had gone to trial, because the public believed media reports of the allegations.
Owens denied the motion, saying Ornes had affirmed in November he was entering the plea voluntarily.
Ornes, who resigned from the Christiansburg Police Department after he was charged, complained of being considered a foreigner and a flight risk because he is Puerto Rican and a pilot.
He called his high bond unconstitutional and said prosecutors' contention that his hands were weapons because he holds an eighth-degree black belt in a martial art were false. He said he did not harm the girl or the woman.
"I never did, and I never will," he said.
Douglas Schroder, special prosecutor in the case, had asked Owens to impose the maximum life sentences. But Gary Bowman, a Roanoke lawyer representing Ornes, argued that Owens should hold to state sentencing guidelines, which give a range of eight to 21 years.
Schroder said the girl's age, the repeat rapes, Ornes' threats to her and the physical and emotional injuries she endured were reasons for life sentences. He said the guidelines' recommended 21-year maximum was not appropriate.
"That is not a just sentence in this case," he said.
The girl's therapist testified that it will be difficult for the girl - who has nightmares and flashbacks - to develop trusting relationships with men.
Bowman urged the judge to consider Ornes' history as a police officer, Marine and - until the charges were entered - family man.
"There are redeeming things about Mr. Ornes," and he should have the opportunity to rehabilitate himself and return to society to support his children, Bowman said.
by CNB