Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 8, 1994 TAG: 9410100053
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Hampton Commonwealth's Attorney Christopher Hutton said federal statutes that could apply in the case of Vernon Roy Richards are broader and more numerous than state laws.
``I'm not satisfied there are enough state charges'' that would apply in the Richards case, Hutton said.
Federal prosecution would be more efficient if evidence is found that Richards committed crimes outside Hampton by avoiding local jurisdictional problems.
Trying the case in federal court also would eliminate conflicts that might arise from the trooper's association with local officials and his wife's employment at the Hampton General District Court building, where one of the bombs was found, Hutton said.
Because of the allegations, state police Superintendent Col. Wayne Huggins said every explosive device Richards located during his eight-year bomb-finding career must be re-investigated.
That would include the June 10 discovery of a tubelike device by Richards and his bomb-sniffing dog, Master Blaster, at Richmond Coliseum just before an appearance by Nation of Islam founder Louis Farrakhan.
Huggins said, however, that he did not expect any challenges to convictions obtained in cases involving Richards.
Richards is accused of placing three bombs in the Hampton courthouse and two at Hampton Roads malls. He faces eight felony charges ranging from possession and manufacture of explosive devices to attempting to destroy the Hampton courts building.
Those charges will remain in place until federal charges are filed, Hutton said.
Richards allegedly tried to frame a 17-year-old high school student for the crimes.
``This is the most serious of anything that happened, the most reprehensible thing that he did,'' Hutton said. He said that when authorities interviewed the teen-ager, they realized ``something far more sinister and diabolical was going on than some stranger planting bombs.''
Richards has been suspended without pay and is being held without bond pending an Oct. 18 appearance in Hampton General District Court.
Hutton said Richards planted the bombs so he could find them. ``He's doing these things in order to attract attention to himself, perhaps to gain favor with his superiors,'' he said.
The case has embarrassed the state police.
``It's been a very difficult week and a half for the state police,'' Huggins said. ``We have seen a whole gamut of emotions. The strength and tradition of the state police will allow us to emerge stronger from this experience.''
by CNB