Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, March 4, 1995 TAG: 9503060046
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Instead, Ren Heard was sent to jail for an indefinite time to await the results of a psychiatric evaluation ordered by a Roanoke Circuit judge.
Heard, who left his mark on Explore Park with the log homes that he rebuilt, was convicted of statutory rape last month during a trial in which prosecutors said he made the victim his personal and sexual slave for months at his Salem Avenue home.
After presenting nearly an hour's worth of sentencing evidence Friday, defense attorney David Bowers asked Judge Clifford Weckstein to delay final sentencing until Heard undergoes a psychiatric evaluation.
Prosecutors objected to the motion, saying they had been given no advance notice that it would be made.
"I strongly suggest to the court that this is a delaying tactic to keep Mr. Heard out of jail, otherwise it would have been made a lot sooner," Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Gerald Teaster said.
Although Weckstein granted the motion for the evaluation, he ordered that Heard be held in the Roanoke City Jail until the results are available.
Prior to the hearing, Heard had been free on bond. His lawyers had asked that his bond be continued pending the results of the psychiatric evaluation.
"He's not a mad dog that needs to be locked up," defense co-counsel Jack Kennett said.
by CNB