ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, April 9, 1997 TAG: 9704090038
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: HARRISONBURG
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
The defense will portray Jamie Raymond as the victim, claiming that the slain man enraged her husband by coercing her into joining his prostitutes.
Jury selection began Tuesday in the capital murder case of Jamie Raymond, who is accused of helping her husband kill and rob the director of two halfway houses for paroled criminals.
The prosecutor has called it a common case of murder motivated by a couple's need for money to buy drugs. But the defense will portray Jamie Raymond as the victim, claiming that Ernest James enraged her husband by coercing her into joining his stable of prostitutes.
James, 56, was found dead in his home June 5. He had been stabbed 31 times, and his throat was slit.
Jeremy Raymond, 26, was convicted a month ago of first-degree murder and burglary. Jamie Raymond, who turned 20 on Tuesday, claims she did not participate in the killing.
She met her husband two years ago while visiting a halfway house where James was the director. Jeremy Raymond was assigned to the home after serving four years in prison for a string of property crimes, and he left when they were married in 1995.
In a taped statement played at his trial, Jeremy Raymond said he and his wife attacked James and took a briefcase loaded with pornographic videotapes, $500 cash and contracts with his wife and other women for sex.
James was convicted in 1986 of aiding and abetting prostitution. At the time, he was a part-time instructor at James Madison University, the vice president of a tire company and president of the local chamber of commerce.
Defense attorney Walter F. Green has argued that James never stopped being a pimp, and that the 1986 case bolsters Jamie Raymond's credibility.
Green sought to ask potential jurors Tuesday whether they had any involvement in James' 1986 prostitution operation.
``Prostitution is part and parcel of this case,'' Green told Circuit Judge Dennis Hupp.
But Hupp rejected the question and said he would prohibit evidence related to the 1986 case because it is irrelevant to Jamie Raymond's trial.
Green also has subpoenaed some of area's top business and civic leaders to testify, including Harrisonburg Mayor Rodney Eagle, Rockingham County Supervisor Pablo Cuevas and JMU President Ronald Carrier. Green has not explained why he wants them to testify, saying only that they were part of James' past.
Hupp said he would rule today on a motion to exclude Carrier as a witness.
Testimony is expected to begin today after opening arguments.
LENGTH: Medium: 56 linesby CNB