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Volume 57, Number 49 • December 8, 2011
Goochlanders turn out for wrapping day
Thurston convicted on assault charge By Jim Fields jfields@mechlocal.com
Photo by Ken Odor
Sheriff Jim Agnew wraps presents last Saturday morning at the Old Goochland Middle School, flanked by Kit Davison, President of the Christmas Mother Board, Christmas Mother Dale Agnew and Wrapping Day Chair Gloria Turner. See story and another photo on page 5.
District 4 recount set for Dec. 15 By Ken Odor jodor@goochlandgazette.com
Rejecting attorney Bradley Marrs’ argument that a recount petition filed by Malvern R. “Rudy” Butler should be dismissed because his client R. H. “Bob” Minnick was not served within the proper time, Chief
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Judge John G. Berry set Dec. 15 as the date for a recount of the votes in the Goochland District 4 Supervisor election. Minnick was certified the winner of the election by just six votes, 842 to 836 but Butler asked for a recount in a petition filed Nov. 18. Marrs argued that his client
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Opinion 6 Sheriff’s Reports 11 Sports 12-13 TV Listings 14-16
was not notified until Nov. 28. “We have a deadline that was not met,” said Marrs. But Berry, while agreeing with Marrs’ argument that Butler did not comply with the statute, citing the public interest, denied the motion to dismiss, subject to the review of the complete three-judge panel
which will convene Dec. 8 at 1 p.m. to go over procedures for the recount. The recount will be held Dec. 15 at 1 p.m., at Goochland Circuit Court. Berry instructed the two parties to pick two election officials see Recount > page 3
The assault charge against Betty Thurston, Supervisor of Transportation for Goochland County Schools, brought against her by school bus driver Tonya Gilman, was tried Dec. 5 in General District Court by Judge Edward Carpenter. Carpenter found Thurston guilty and fined her $250 plus court costs. “I feel vindicated,” Gilman said after the trial. “I’m pleased with the judge’s decision.” Thurston left the courthouse with family and friends and would not comment. The charges grew out of an incident Oct. 13 between Gilman and Thurston at the Transportation office where the two had words and then Thurston allegedly grabbed Gilman by the arm. “She had me by the arm and held on for over a minute,” Gilman testified. “I had to tell her two times to let go of my arm before she did.” The encounter led to Gilman filing assault and battery charges against Thurston. The case and verdict might have turned on a legal definition given by Goochland Commonwealth Attorney Claiborne Stokes as it applied to the case. He noted that any uninvited or unwanted touch, under the law, constitutes a battery. When questioned, Thurston admitted she touched Gilman, but denied grabbing her. Defense Attorney John Amos said the evidence didn’t support the charges and asked Judge Carpenter to dismiss them. After briefly reviewing his notes, Carpenter found Thurston guilty. Goochland County School Superintendent Linda Underwood, present for the trial, refused to comment after the verdict was delivered.
SPORTS
NEWS
Goochland aiming for perfect season
BES recognized for conservation efforts
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