THE LEDGER-STAR
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, November 1, 1994 TAG: 9411010491
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B11 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: NEWPORT NEWS LENGTH: Medium: 53 lines
A federal magistrate has ordered a psychiatric evaluation for a state trooper accused of planting bombs at the Hampton courthouse and two area shopping malls.
U.S. Magistrate James E. Bradberry ordered Monday that Vernon Roy Richards be sent to a federal correctional institution in Butner, N.C., to determine his state of mind at the time of the offenses and whether Richards is competent to stand trial.
Richards' lawyer, Hampton attorney Ron Smith, requested the evaluation, which was agreed to by both Richards and Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael R. Smythers.
Smythers, however, indicated the government was a reluctant party to the evaluation, which could take more than two months.
``The United States does not believe there is any basis'' for the examination, Smythers said during Monday's hearing. It was Richards' first appearance in federal court.
Smythers said he agreed to Smith's request ``in the best interest of justice'' and for ``future consideration'' should Richards ever be sentenced.
Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms filed a complaint in U.S. District Court last week alleging that Richards, 41, manufactured and was in possession of three illegal explosive devices that were discovered in the courthouse Sept. 13. Richards and his bomb-sniffing dog, Master Blaster, were credited with finding two of the devices after an anonymous phone call prompted police to evacuate the building.
Richards was arrested by Hampton police Sept. 27 after investigators noted several inconsistencies in his story relating to the bomb threats. Police said Richards tried to frame a 19-year-old man for planting the courthouse bombs.
He was charged with possessing and manufacturing explosive devices and attempting to burn or destroy a courthouse. The case was moved to U.S. District Court at the request of state prosecutors who thought it would be easier to prosecute in federal court.
In addition to the courthouse bombs, police charged Richards with planting explosive devices at Coliseum Mall in Hampton and Lynnhaven Mall in Virginia Beach, but federal prosecutors have not yet charged him in those incidents. ``Additional charges certainly could be added by a grand jury if there is additional evidence,'' Smythers said.
KEYWORDS: BOMB EXPLOSIVE
VIRGINIA STATE POLICE
by CNB