THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, October 27, 1994 TAG: 9410270434
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B9 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
Gov. George Allen on Wednesday appointed four members of his parole abolition commission, including the co-chairman, to a 17-member panel that will write sentencing guidelines for use in felony cases.
Former federal prosecutor Richard Cullen of Richmond will be joined on the Virginia Sentencing Commission by Richmond City Manager Robert Bobb, Danville City Attorney William Fuller and victims' rights advocate Joe Ann Bruce of Hanover County.
``I am confident that these strong and experienced leaders, knowledgeable in fighting violent criminal behavior, will be most influential in working with judges and the sentencing commission to implement firm and fair administration of justice,'' Allen said in a news release.
Cullen co-chaired the Governor's Parole Abolition and Sentencing Commission, which developed a plan for ending parole for crimes committed after Jan. 1. The General Assembly passed the plan, with only slight modifications, during a special session last month.
The legislation created the sentencing commission, which will develop voluntary guidelines for judges to follow in sentencing convicted felons. The commission's aim will be to keep violent criminals, particularly repeat offenders, in prison longer.
In addition to the four members appointed by the governor, three will be named by the speaker of the House of Delegates, two by the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee and seven by the Virginia Supreme Court's chief justice. The attorney general also is a member.
The chief justice will select the chairman. by CNB