Latest news with #CommonwealthAttorney
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Judge rules Norfolk Electoral Board member can stay in her position
A Norfolk Circuit Court judge has ruled in favor of a Norfolk Electoral Board member, allowing her to keep her seat on the board. Circuit Court Judge Everett Martin allowed Norfolk Electoral Board Vice Chair Marianne McKay to retain her position on the board in an opinion released Wednesday. The order comes after several Norfolk election officials attempted to remove McKay from her position, alleging she failed to perform her job duties and betrayed the nonpartisan nature of the office. In an emailed statement, McKay said the results were vindication for her and put a stop to a removal effort that never should have begun. 'This entire episode was deeply embarrassing for the Norfolk Electoral Board and the Norfolk Office of Elections and a colossal waste of state, city and judicial resources,' McKay said in the statement. In his order, Martin said it was clear that election officials found McKay 'meddlesome and obnoxious, and they wish to be rid of her.' However, he said the Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney's Office, which prosecuted the case, did not present compelling evidence that she had failed to perform her job duties or engaged in political activity while on the job. The court case revolved around two actions McKay took before and during the 2024 June primary and November general elections. Following the general election, McKay attempted to rescind her approval of the results because she was not allowed to personally review thousands of provisional ballots. McKay also worked with a third-party election integrity group to staff outside poll watchers at polling sites during the general election and communicated with them throughout the day. In his order, Martin said the first instance was not grounds for removal because there is no legal mechanism for a board member to withdraw certification of an election after previously certifying it. Secondly, he said the election day communications between McKay and the poll watchers, which did not rise to the level of political activity. The case was opened after the Virginia State Board of Elections voted 4-1 March 4 to petition the court for McKay's removal. Norfolk General Registrar Stephanie Iles and Norfolk Electoral Board Chair Atoy Carrington did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Trevor Metcalfe, 757-222-5345,
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Norfolk Commonwealth's Attorney's race: Fatehi holds off strong challenge from Butler
NORFOLK — Incumbent Ramin Fatehi held off a spirited challenge Tuesday from John Butler to win the Democratic nomination for the city's commonwealth's attorney. Late Tuesday night, Fatehi had a decisive lead over Butler of 52% to 48% of the vote. Butler called Fatehi to concede. Butler, a former federal prosecutor, had the support of several of Norfolk's top Democratic leaders, including Mayor Kenny Alexander, Sheriff Joe Baron, Treasurer Daun Hester, Commissioner of the Revenue Blythe Scott, and City Council members Courtney Doyle, Jeremy McGee and Tommy Smigiel. Among those endorsing Fatehi were U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott, Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, former state Attorney General Mark Herring, former school board members Rodney Jordan and Yvonne Wagner, and former councilmen Andy Protygou and Paul Riddick. Both candidates raked in record amounts in donations and in-kind contributions. As of the latest campaign finance filing deadline, Butler reported $742,000 in contributions, while Fatehi collected around $870,000 in cash and in-kind contributions since he took office in 2022. Butler's top contributors were some of the city's most powerful lawyers and business leaders, while Fatehi's main source of campaign income came from three liberal super PACs largely funded by billionaire George Soros, as well as loans from himself. Butler said he was encouraged to run by city leaders who were unhappy with the job Fatehi had been doing. He pointed to multiple instances of plea deals being rejected by judges for being too lenient, murder cases ending in acquittals or dismissals, and dozens of prosecutors resigning after Fatehi took over as reasons for needing a new leader. Fatehi said he stood by his record and the work of his staff. Violent crime in the city is down 40%, property crime down 27%, and the jail's population has been cut in half, he said. He argued Butler was not qualified since his only prosecuting experience was in federal court. He also claimed he was the only true Democrat in the race, pointing to an email from the local Republican party urging members to vote for Butler, and donations he received from people who typically support Republican candidates. Jane Harper,
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man sentenced to 30 years in connection to Kimball Terrace fatal shooting
NOTE: Video is from 6/18/24 NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – A man was sentenced to 43 years in prison, with 13 years suspended, in connection to a fatal shooting on Kimball Terrace June 18, 2024, according to the Commonwealth's Attorney's (CA) office. According to the CA's office, Lewis shot 32-year-old Bobby Lee Hill in the head in the 3100 block of Kimball Terrace before getting away in his car. Using security footage, investigators tracked the destination Lewis traveled back to his apartment complex. Investigators then secured a search warrant and while inside found the 9mm firearm used in the murder of hill, says the Commonwealth. Lewis entered a plead deal Tuesday, May 20, to avoid charges of first-degree murder but was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of murder hours after the shooting. 'In years past, this case may have never been solved, but thanks to NRHA surveillance cameras, private security cameras, and the Flock system, a case that otherwise may have been totally cold led to an arrest within hours of the murder and, today, a guilty plea to that crime,' said Commonwealth's Attorney Ramin Fatehi. Lewis admitted he was the shooter after waiving his Miranda rights, but his motive remains unclear. 'I am very sorry for Mr. Hill and his family. We will continue to advocate for the responsible use of technology that solves crimes and protects the civil rights and privacy of innocent people,' says Fatehi. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Serial robber pleads guilty after 6 armed robberies, 1 attempted robbery: Commonwealth's attorney
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – A 19-year-old pleaded guilty to charges of six armed robberies, one attempted robbery between early December and late January May 7, according to the Commonwealth attorney's office. The man charged, Jeovany Rodriquez, committed four of the incidents between Jan. 15-20, says the Commonwealth. Rodriquez was eventually caught as on Jan. 24, he robbed a cashier at a Subway on East Little Creek Road. The Commonwealth's office says Rodriquez showed his air rifle at the cashier and then attempted to flee the scene, where officers saw him. Police then chased Rodriquez, where he threw his rifle out the car. Officers then secured Rodriquez and the gun, and later connected him to the string of robberies, according to the Commonwealth's attorney. Rodriquez agreed to plead guilty to six counts of armed robbery and one count of attempting to commit armed robbery on May 7 for dismissal of additional charges and to waive his rights to a preliminary hearing and indictment before a jury. 'Mr. Rodriquez put himself and his victims in extremely dangerous situations, ones where a reasonable person would fear getting shot and killed and where either the victims or a bystander could have tried to defend themselves, risking injury or death,' said Commonwealth's Attorney Ramin Fatehi. With the plea agreement, Rodriquez will face up to 14 years in prison, which is left up to the discretion of the judge. His sentencing hearing is set for June 30. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
