THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 1, 1996 TAG: 9602010003
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A8 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Editorial
LENGTH: Short : 39 lines
A much-arrested Portsmouth man who had been released on bond on at least 25 charges - ranging from trespassing to murder - now stands accused of hitting a police officer.
When do you suppose the man, Nathaniel Richardson, 23,might have lost respect for the law?
Was it last March 23? Charged with murder, he was released on $50,000 bond?
Could it have been last May 2? Charged with possession of a firearm and drugs, he was released on a $75,000 bond?
Maybe it was last June 20, when he was charged with driving under the influence and refusal to take a Breathalyzer test and was released on $10,000 bond.
Possibly it was the two times he got away with failure to appear. The first time he was released on $8,000 bond; the second time, $1,000.
Take your pick from 25 different charges over three years, many for crimes involving firearms.
Presumably Richardson was astonished Tuesday when a judge ordered him held without bond after Richardson allegedly hit a police officer while free on bond for two felony charges.
``This defendant is again associated with matters of a violent nature,'' said Circuit Judge Von L. Piersall Jr. Then he upheld a lower court denial of bond.
Denying the bond makes sense, but one naturally wonders: Why now and not before? by CNB