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PRSRT. STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE PAID Mechanicsville, VA Permit No.141
Vol. 27, No. 30 | Richmond Suburban Newspapers | November 24, 2010
High court denies petition BODIES DUMPED IN VILLAGE Convictions in boy’s death upheld ‘We don’t think they were killed there’
By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
found in a wood“Despite a ed area around 7 considerable a.m. on June 5, amount of media 1990, by “a genattention and tleman waiting countless hours on a ride”, Dover by investigators, said. They had this case remains last been seen the unsolved,” Col. evening of May David R. Hines, 18 by his roomsheriff, said. mates at his resi“However, we dence on South are committed to DEBORAH S. FERGUSON reviewing all the JAMES RICHARD SHERRIN Vine Street. “She showed case information, Anyone with information on the 1990 up there and they interviewing wit- deaths can call the Hanover County talked for about nesses, re-evalu- Sheriff’s Office at 365-6110 or Crime an hour, an hour ating the forensic Stoppers at 780-1000 or visit www. hanoversheriff.com and a half on evidence with the front porch,” today’s standards, and do everything we can to bring this Dover said. “He went inside and picked something up – presumably his keys, a case to a successful conclusion.” “Unsolved is not acceptable,” the pack of cigarettes.” As he left, James told his roommates he would see them in sheriff added. Deborah’s and James’ bodies were about an hour. “Whatever they talked about on the porch – nobody was there to witness it — but they had a task to do,” Trice said. “And we’re not really sure what that task was, but they went out to do this task and we believe their attackers were known to them.” “Whatever situation they got themselves into attributed to their deaths,” the captain said. The June 20, 1990, edition of The File photo/Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Richmond News Leader reported that
Vehicles still use the lot in Old Mechanicsville for a park-n-ride location, but 20 years ago, the bodies of two Richmond residents were found there. Mystery still surrounds the deaths of Deborah S. Ferguson and James “Jim” Richard Sherrin, both 21, and law enforcement officers remain tight-lipped about some of the particulars, including how they were killed. As for how they died, DOVER the only statement released from the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office was “The manner of death is a homicide.” “We don’t think they were killed there, said Capt. Michael J. Trice. “We think they were left there.” Investigator Shawn Dover, a 19year veteran of the Sheriff ’s Office, was The bodies were found in a wooded area at the park and ride site. assigned the case in May.
see DUMPED, pg. 16 `
By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com
conviction and sentences are affirmed,” Hanover County Commonwealth’s Attorney Trip The Supreme Court of Chalkley said. Virginia has denied “I again state my the petition of John appreciation to the Bradley Crawford to numerous witnessset aside his convices, law enforcement tions for the abducpersonnel and the tion and murder jurors for the sucof Alexander Paul cessful prosecution Glanz. of such complex The high court’s cases,” he added. order came down on Chalkley said, Monday, Nov. 15. CRAWFORD “My office is obvi“In effect, this ously pleased with ends the appellate the results and trust this conprocess in Virginia to oversee PETITION, pg. 4 ` turn the convictions and the
Parade grand marshal named By Melody Kinser mkinser@mechlocal.com A local TV personality will serve as the grand marshal for the 2010 Mechanicsville Christmas Parade. According to co-chairmen Harold Padgett and Ronnie Planz, Tracy Lynn, NBC12’s traffic reporter, has accepted the invitation to participate in the Sunday, Dec. 5, parade. The parade will kick off at 3 p.m. in the Village of Mech-
anicsville, with a tree lighting ceremony to follow by the EVB windmill branch. This LYNN y e a r ’s theme is “Christmas Around the World.” see PARADE, pg. 4 `