THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, November 25, 1995 TAG: 9511230045
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A10 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
Some two dozen violent criminals in Portsmouth must feel the hot breath of justice on the backs of their necks.
An FBI Violence Task Force has been building cases against them for 2 1/2 months. Larry Torrence, special agent in charge of the FBI in Norfolk, said he expects them all to be arrested soon.
Many of the criminals have beaten justice in Portsmouth courts, which bear a startling resemblance to a revolving door. In federal court, the door of justice is expected to slam shut once - and stay shut a long time.
Here's how the new task force's work compares with business as usual in Portsmouth. Fred Blount III escaped punishment in Portsmouth Circuit Court last August after prosecutors violated his right to a speedy trial on charges that he tried to kill an off-duty police officer while robbing a Pizza Hut. The revolving door revolved again.
Last week, however, a federal jury convicted Blount, 26, of breaking a federal law prohibiting the disruption of a business that uses products that have crossed state lines: cheese, spices and dough. Staff writer Lynn Waltz reported that the conviction, plus a federal weapons violation, could net Blount 45 years in prison without parole. The sound criminals heard throughout Portsmouth was a door slamming shut.
The criminals being sought must know the federal government is on their heels. People in their neighborhoods know who they are. Police know who they are. Portsmouth judges must know their faces, since they've been in and out of court.
The bigger legal guns are being aimed at the violent criminals none too soon. Already in 1995, Portsmouth has set a record for most murders in a year, with the annual total likely to break 40.
A major obstacle to obtaining convictions has been witness intimidation by violent criminals out on bail while their trials are repeatedly postponed. In fact, Portsmouth courts are the slowest in the state.
In federal court, justice is far speedier and bail is harder to come by for defendants accused of violent crimes.
Torrence said a small group of people are committing the majority of violent crimes in Portsmouth. ``When we see individuals repeatedly committing violent crimes,'' he said, ``if we can eliminate them from the streets, the impact will be lasting.''
He said most of those targeted are young. Staff writers Waltz and Jon Frank reported that the targeted criminals have shown no fear of police or a system seemingly unable to keep them behind bars. They use drive-by shootings to intimidate witnesses.
Regrettably, some of the crime witnesses also are the criminals' customers - people hooked on crack and easy to intimidate.
Still, it is in Portsmouth residents' interest to do all they can to make the city safer. Every effort should be made to aid the federal task force, and we wish it godspeed. by CNB