
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, October 11, 1995                   TAG: 9510110067
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: FREDERICKSBURG                                 LENGTH: Medium

LATE TAPES ENTANGLE MAN, TOO

The husband of a woman who faces felony charges for allegedly failing to return videos rented in July was charged with similar offenses last month, a newspaper reported Tuesday.

Clayton Lawrence was served a warrant Sept. 21 charging him with petty larceny, a misdemeanor.

His wife, Denise Lawrence, 24, was arrested last week as her four children watched on a charge of failing to return rental property, a felony.

Clayton Lawrence, 28, owes $369.20 in late fees on four tapes checked out since July 30, Darrell English, owner of Family Video in Stafford and a Stafford County deputy, told the Free Lance-Star.

Denise Lawrence's attorney, Joe Morrissey, estimated she would owe $368 in late charges to a Video Club store.

Messages left at telephone listings for Clayton Lawrence were not immediately returned. He was working on a construction job at the University of Maryland, the Free Lance-Star said.

Denise Lawrence could face a 20-year prison term, a $2,500 fine or both if she is convicted. Her husband could face a year in jail, a $2,500 fine or both if he is found guilty.

Law enforcement officials could not explain Tuesday why Clayton Lawrence was charged with a misdemeanor and his wife was charged with a felony. Law enforcement officials, however, have discretion in determining which charges are filed.

Video Club officials said that they tried for months to contact Denise Lawrence by phone and registered letter. Denise Lawrence said she never got any reminders.

She faces a preliminary court hearing Thursday.

Clayton Lawrence is scheduled for arraignment in Stafford General District Court on Oct. 31.

by CNB