Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, August 15, 1994 TAG: 9408150085
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: MANASSAS LENGTH: Medium
His lawyer, Gregory Murphy, told Prince William County Circuit Judge LeRoy F. Millette Jr. on Friday that the knife, some clothing and personal items, and pictures taken during a surgical procedure to reattach the organ are Bobbitt's property and should be returned.
Some of the items were used as evidence in Bobbitt's trial and the trial of his wife, Lorena. Lorena Bobbitt said she cut her husband last summer after he raped her. A jury found Bobbitt innocent of marital sexual assault. In January, another jury found Lorena Bobbitt innocent by reason of insanity of malicious wounding.
Lorena Bobbitt was sent to a state mental hospital for evaluation. She was released several weeks later and is living in Lake Ridge with her parents, who recently arrived from Venezuela to be with their daughter. Lorena Bobbitt continues to receive counseling from the state.
Murphy said the photographs from the nine-hour operation that successfully reattached the organ have found their way into the hands of the media.
``There's no reason to keep them. ... We'd like to get them out of the files,'' Murphy said.
Murphy asked Millette to order John Bobbitt's property, including the knife and photographs, to be removed from the public files kept in the courthouse and given to him.
Millette agreed John Bobbitt should have items that are clearly his, but said the pictures are evidence in the criminal cases and must remain on file. He ordered the pictures sealed from public view.
Commonwealth's Attorney Paul Ebert, who prosecuted both Bobbitts, agreed John Bobbitt could have clothing and other personal articles back, but said some of the items could be considered marital property. The Bobbitts are in the midst of a divorce.
by CNB