Inside A3 PHS Homecoming Court 2019
Powhatan, Virginia B1 Powhatan MS Soccer adds championship to unbeaten season
Vol. XXXIII No. o. 19
October 30, 2019
Estranged wife convicted of killing husband By Laura McFarland Editor
P
OWHATAN – A Powhatan County jury on Friday unanimously found Karina Rafter guilty of the first degree murder of her estranged husband in 2016. After four and a half days of listening to arguments and evidence, the 12-member jury took over five hours to find Karina Rafter, 43, guilty of killing her estranged husband, John Richard Rafter Jr., 48, on Dec. 9, 2016, at his home in the 2100 block of Flint Hill Road in Powhatan. John Rafter’s body was discovered on the morning of Dec. 9 by his teenage son, who found his father in his bed with a shotgun wound to the head. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner released on Dec. 14, 2016, that Rafter’s death was a homicide.
After a twoyear investigation, indictments were issued on Feb. 6, 2019, against Karina Rafter for one count of first degree murder and one JOHN RAFTER count of use of a firearm in the commission of a murder. The case was brought before Circuit Court Judge Paul Cella by the Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office after the Powhatan office recused itself. Matthew Ackley and Susan Parrish, special assistant commonwealth’s attorneys to Powhatan, represented the prosecution, and Craig Cooley was Karina Rafter’s defense attorney. Both sides agreed at the outset of the
trial on Monday, Oct. 21, that the case against Karina Rafter was circumstantial, as investigators were never able to present evidence that KARINA RAFTER placed her in Powhatan in the possible hours on Dec. 9 when her husband died. The Rafters, who moved to Powhatan in 2015, were married but were separated and in the process of divorcing for a second time when he died. Karina Rafter was living with her parents in Chesterfield County along with their daughter, and John Rafter lived at the couple’s home in Powhatan with their son. Karina Rafter also has one daughter from a pre-
vious marriage, who was already an adult at the time of John Rafter’s death. Over the course of the trial, the prosecution used 22 witnesses to lay out a case that examined the relationship between the Rafters, a mounting fear John Rafter told friends he had of his wife, and Karina Rafter’s disputed claim that she was no longer in possession of the weapon that killed her husband. They also juxtaposed the behavior of Karina Rafter toward her family in the year before her husband’s death against what they showed as uncharacteristic behaviors in the days surrounding the incident. Meanwhile, Cooley argued repeatedly – including in two motions to strike he made to try to have Cella dismiss the case and acquit his client – that the Commonwealth had provided “zero evidence” see TRIAL pg. 8
Pocahontas Elementary wins spirit stick at annual PCPS Convocation CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
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Teachers and staff from Pocahontas Elementary School took home the 2019 – 2020 Spirit Stick at the annual PCPS Convocation. Already the reigning champions, Pocahontas Elementary enthusiastically took on the challenge of donating the most jars of peanut butter to local charitable organization, Backpacks of Love. Overall, the competition brought in more than 500 jars of peanut butter, which will be given to hungry children in Powhatan and surrounding communities through the amazing efforts of Backpacks of Love.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Alumni Wayne Knabe, left, and Dennis Stokes gather for a National Guard reunion.
National Guard members gather to share memories By Laura McFarland Editor
POWHATAN – Former local members of the Virginia National Guard recently decided they wanted to stop waiting for funerals to bring
them back together. Men who served in the 176th Heavy Mortar Company and 276th Engineer Battalion gathered on Oct. 12 at the War Memorial Cultural Arts and Commusee NATIONAL, pg. 3
Brad Nunnally running for re-election as sheriff
DELIVER TO: Postal Patron Powhatan, VA 23139
Contributed Report
creased 44 percent, general arheriff Brad Nunnally rests were up 16 percent, and will be seeking re-elec- traffic summonses increased 33 tion on Nov. 5. Nunnally percent. The sheriff is proud that is honored to have served during this time a countywide as Powhatan’s sheriff and hopes survey indicated that 92 percent that citizens will extend the privi- of Powhatan citizens were satisfied with the sheriff’s office’s lege to him again. service. The naNunnally betional company gan his career as a that performed patrol deputy and this survey pointwas quickly proed out that this moted to superviwas their highest sory duties under ranking ever for Sheriff Lynn law enforcement. Woodcock and During Nunpromoted again nally’s tenure, the under Sheriff community, as Greg Neal. This well as the nation, recognition of his has experienced ability to lead, an opioid crisis. strong work ethic His office does and desire to serve not believe it can NUNNALLY the community ularrest its way out timately led to of every problem. To that end, Nunnally being elected sheriff. Nunnally works with recovery The sheriff’s office’s primary groups, churches, and other jails responsibility is law enforceto provide alternative drug treatment and Nunnally’s commitment is that the equitable en- ment programs. The answer to forcement of the law is the only the drug problem is not one aplegitimate law enforcement. Un- proach but a dedication to all der Nunnally’s leadership and available avenues: prevention, with the dedicated support and education and enforcement. Nunnally hopes that on Nov. efforts of sheriff’s personnel 5 residents will join former sherPowhatan’s crime rate has iffs Woodcock and Batterson steadily declined while enforceand Commonwealth’s Attorney ment has increased. This is a working sheriff’s office led by a Dickie Cox in supporting and reworking sheriff. During the last electing Brad Nunnally, Powthree years, DUI arrests have in- hatan’s sheriff.
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The annual Veterans Day Musical Show on Nov. 3 is one of several events meant to honor local veterans.
Community set to honor Veterans Day By Laura McFarland Editor
POWHATAN –Local groups will hold ceremonies in November to honor the men and women who served their nation in the U.S. Armed Forces. Powhatan County will mark Veterans Day in the next few weeks with three large community gatherings and several other recognition events to honor the service and sacrifice of local veterans. Commemoration will begin a little early this year with the annual Veterans Day Musical Show held in the auditorium of
Powhatan High School, 1800 Judes Ferry Road. The event will begin at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3 and feature a talented group of visiting and local performers putting on a great show in honor of local veterans, said Ruth Boatwright, who started the event 28 years ago. The event is free and open to the public. From its beginnings as a ceremony at a local church, the annual musical has grown in size over the years, Boatwright said. The show will feature a packed line-up, with returning favorites see VETERANS, pg. 4