ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, February 4, 1997 TAG: 9702040110
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: FINCASTLE
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM AND BETTY HAYDEN SNIDER STAFF WRITERS
The six people charged with mob violence after a man was beaten in Botetourt County early Saturday were arraigned Monday.
One of the six has offered a new version of the events, denying some aspects of an account given earlier by the Botetourt County Sheriff's Office.
David Underwood, 23, of Roanoke County told authorities he was beaten for about two hours by several people in a friend's mobile home.
Underwood said he went to Daniel Moore's trailer to meet another friend, Buford Musselman. Later, Musselman and four other friends arrived.
Botetourt County Sheriff Reed Kelly said the group brought several handguns and other weapons and intended to harm Underwood.
The sheriff initially said the group was angry because Underwood owed them money, but after authorities interviewed the victim, another story emerged.
Underwood said Jamee Williams, one of the women charged, had given him $800 to pay for repairs to his truck, which her boyfriend had wrecked. He said some in the group wanted Williams' money back.
Underwood said he also spent $200 of his own money on repairs, and still more repairs are needed.
Lisa Overstreet, 40, one of the women charged, gave still another account. In a telephone interview from jail, she said the group went to the mobile home because Underwood owes her daughter, Shannon, $200. Underwood denied that he owes anyone in the group money.
Underwood said he tried to leave the mobile home three times, but the group would not let him. He was allowed to call people in an attempt to have money brought to him.
He called his sister, who has a Caller ID box, and from his tone of voice, she knew something was wrong, he said. She called 911 in Roanoke County and gave them the number he had called from, which was traced to Botetourt.
Despite the beating, Underwood said he probably would not have pressed charges against any of the people, who were his friends.
The group was charged with mob violence and abduction for pecuniary or monetary benefit. A mob is legally defined as "any collection of people assembled for the purpose and with the intention of committing an assault or a battery." Everyone in the mob is responsible for the group's actions, even if he or she never strikes a blow.
Two members of the group also face firearm charges, and one faces charges of resisting arrest and interfering with police.
Monday, Botetourt County General District Judge Louis Campbell reduced Moore's bond from $60,000 to $40,000.
LENGTH: Medium: 52 linesby CNB