ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, September 5, 1996 TAG: 9609050086
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI
A Roanoke County General District judge Wednesday dismissed charges against a man who was shot and injured by police earlier this year.
David Bell, who was involved in a three-hour standoff with police in February, had been charged with possession of marijuana and brandishing a firearm. But Judge George Harris dismissed the charges, saying there was not enough evidence to substantiate them, according to Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney John Alexander.
On the night of Feb. 20, police responded to a report involving a firearm at Bell's parents' home in Catawba. Bell was outside, holding a pistol, according to police.
At one point, police said, they asked him to lay down his weapon but, instead, he turned the pistol at officers. Lt. Gary Roche, a member of the county's SWAT team, fired a shot, hitting Bell in the chest.
An internal investigation found Roche did not use excessive force, Alexander said.
LENGTH: Short : 28 linesby CNB