The Virginian-Pilot 
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Friday, May 10, 1996                   TAG: 9605100535
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: STAFF AND WIRE REPORT 
DATELINE: RICHMOND                           LENGTH: Short :   31 lines

DEL. NELMS' TRIAL SET FOR JUNE 18 ON INDECENT EXPOSURE CHARGE

A June 18 trial date was set Thursday for Del. Robert Nelms, who was indicted by a Richmond Circuit Court grand jury on a misdemeanor indecent exposure charge.

Nelms, R-Suffolk, was arrested Feb. 15 in a city park known for illicit sexual activity. He has said he was walking and stopped to urinate when an officer spotted him. Nelms said he should not have been charged with indecent exposure.

A judge dismissed that charge last month after Nelms cited legislative immunity. The Virginia Constitution prohibits a legislator's arrest on most charges during General Assembly sessions.But Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Claire Cardwell took the case to the grand jury, which indicted Nelms Monday. The move does not amount to trying Nelms twice on the same charge because no sworn testimony was taken in the lower court, she said.

Nelms, 36, is free on a $500 personal appearance bond. ILLUSTRATION: Robert Nelms

KEYWORDS: INDECENT EXPOSURE by CNB