Powhatan Today, January 20, 2021
Page 4A
Rafter denied second appeal of 2016 murder case By Laura McFarland Editor
POWHATAN – For the second time, the Virginia Court of Appeals has denied an appeal on behalf of Karina Rafter, who was found guilty last October in the 2016 murder of her estranged husband in Powhatan. Rafter was sentenced by a jury to serve 20 years for first-degree murder and three years for one count of use of a
SCHOOL BOARD Continued from pg. 1
has held before. The school board reorganizes every January for the upcoming year. Hymel, who has been a board member since February 2014, said she appreciated her fellow board members’ confidence in her to lead the school board through this year.
firearm in the commission of the murder of John Richard Rafter Jr., 48, on Dec. 9, 2016, at his home in the 2100 block of Flint Hill Road in Powhatan. Following a five-day trial, a jury decided on Oct. 25, 2019, that Karina Rafter was guilty of shooting her husband in the head with a shotgun while he lay in his bed and recommended the 23-year sentence. Powhatan County Circuit Court Judge Paul Cella upheld the jury’s sentence on Feb. 19, 2020.
She praised Joe Walters, who served as chairman for four years, for his hard work to bring the board together. Walters announced in December 2020 and reiterated last week that he would be stepping back and allowing someone else to helm the board this year. “I plan to continue with that (work) because I believe proactive lead-
Please meet Amber, she was recently owner surrendered. Amber is around 8 years old, spayed, up to date on shots, heartworm NEGATIVE, and microchipped! The previous owner said Amber was good with children and other dogs. She has had some training so she walks well on a leash and knows a few tricks! We tested her with another dog and she did fine. She is a super sweet girl and just wants love! If you’re interested in meeting Amber please let us know!
Amber
If you would like to help the animals in our care, you can do so by donating to our medical fund at Claws and Paws, 4313 Anderson Hwy., Powhatan, VA 23139 Powhatan Sheriff’s Office | Division Of Animal Control Phone: 804-598-5672 | Fax: 804-598-5109
ership gets thoughtful and focused results,� Hymel said. “All board members have the same responsibility and authority; it’s my turn to do the additional duties. I will bring my many past leadership experiences throughout my career to my new role as school board chair.� In the year ahead, the biggest challenge facing the school board and the school division as a whole is providing students with a solid education during this pandemic in a safe environment, Hymel said. “It is critically important to ensure the utmost cleanliness and hygiene in all our schools for everyone’s safety so that they do not contribute to COVID-19 transmission,� she said. Parents are sharing the burden more than ever in the education of their children this year, and the division needs to continuously hone in and improve on its techniques for virtual and hybrid learning, Hymel said. “As a parent of two children in our school system, I am acutely aware of the challenges with virtual/hybrid learning. This is something that needs continued attention. We can’t allow our children to be disenfranchised with our unfortunate pandemic situation,� she said. “Just as
Karina Rafter’s attorney filed an appeal on the verdict, contending the evidence was insufficient to support her convictions. Included among those claims was the theory that John Rafter committed suicide or was murdered by another person. In November 2020, an unsigned opinion issued from the Virginia Court of Appeals denied Rafter’s request for an appeal. In a second document issued on Jan.
businesses have adjusted to operate with a virtual staff using technology, we need to keep evolving our delivery methods. What can enrich our virtual/hybrid learning experiences? This is where we need to continue to work together even more closely with parents.� Powhatan’s teachers and staff have shown that they are called to teach and willing to do whatever it takes, Hymel continued. They have shown their passion and determination to provide their students’ education. “Clearly, they are overworked and under paid. It is imperative they are compensated fairly for their work,� she said. Hymel added that this is an extremely stressful time for all, with added anxiety and possible depression. The need to focus on the mental health and well-being of Powhatan’s students, teachers, and staff is vital right now. Cole, who has served on the board for 10 years, said he was happy to serve as vice chairman with Hymel as chairwoman. In a normal year, Cole said he would be excited to see what the year brings, but this year, the focus will be “getting back to whatever normal happens to be.� Continuing to respond to COVID-19, improving the responses to the virus and its impacts, and im-
13, 2021, a three-court panel of appeals court judges denied Rafter’s petition. The short letter gave no details other than to refer to the previous appeals court judge’s opinion. It was signed by Chief Judge Marla Graff Decker, Judge Randolph A. Beales, and Judge Glen A. Huff. Miriam Airington-Fisher, Rafter’s attorney, argued Rafter’s petition in a virtual hearing held on Jan. 7 with the three
proving instruction no matter how it has to be delivered are the most important challenges in the year ahead, he said. Staff and the school board also need to work on better articulating some of their efforts and offerings. “We are getting a lot of comment and questions about different areas of operations, and that is all well and good. We need to be able to communicate in a way that is effective, that people will understand what we are doing and have confidence in what we are doing,� Cole said. “In today’s society, there is always questioning. Sometimes people tend to be critical before they know all the information. So I think one of our challenges is to make sure we get information out in an effective way so that people have it available to them.� Cole said he is “heartened and excited by the efforts that teachers are making and the successes some teachers are having with online learning.� Because of his work with Reynolds Community College and its partnership with Powhatan High School, he has good opportunities to interact with hybrid students. “They are so excited to be back in school. They are so excited to see their friends. That part of it, the more opportunities
CHURCH DIRECTORY St. Luke’s Episcopal Church
SUNDAYS Live Stream Worship!
www.stlukespowhatan.org All are Welcome For more information visit www.stlukespowhatan.org Route 711 at Three Bridge Road 794-6953
The Bridge
Genito Church Presbyterian “Building a Bridge of Hope� Isaiah 58:12 Church 2910 Genito Rd. Powhatan, VA
372-9074 Worship with us this Sunday Church service @ 9:30 AM Sunday school @ 10:30 AM
Sundays: Morning Worship 10:00 AM Wednesday: Family Life Night 7:00 PM 2480 Academy Road 598-7159 Pastor: Johnathan M. Whichard
Providence Presbyterian Church
EVERGREEN COMMUNITY CHURCH (PCA) Proclaiming & Practicing the Gospel of Jesus Christ Indoor Worship Service at 10:00 AM Meeting at the Powhatan War Memorial Building at 2375 Skaggs Rd, Powhatan, VA 23139
ECCPCA.ORG
598-8844
Rev. Robert Barnes
Worship Service 10 AM Meeting in the gym
Meeting Sundays in Amelia, Farmville, Fork Union, Midlothian, Powhatan and Online. Visit pccwired.net for services times & locations. 598-1174 pccwired.net
598-4970
Powhatan United Methodist Church Living As Christ’s Disciples Within Our Hearts and Beyond Our Doors 2253 Rosson Rd.
Just off Rt. 13 in the Village
598-4438
Worship: 8:30 & 11 a.m. Sunday School: 9:45 a.m.
www.powhatanumc.us Weekday Preschool (ages 2-5)
598-6090
Mount Calvary Baptist Church 2020 Red Lane Road
Powhatan, VA 23139 1801 Huguenot Trail Sunday School 9am Pastor, Larry B. Collins Sunday Worship 10am Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study 6:45pm Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m. Wednesday Bible Study Bryan M. Holt, Pastor 7:30 p.m. 378-3607 www.EmmausChristianChurch.org Office 804-598-2398
Community Church Dr. Cavell W. Phillips, Pastor Where there is Unity, there is always Victory. A church “Where you are welcome� Wednesday: Bible Study Join Us For Sunday Worship 6:30 – 7:30pm ( 60 Minute 11:00AM – 12:30PM Warm Up To Sunday ) Powhatan Village Building 3910 Old Buckingham Road ucc4me.org Powhatan, VA 804-256-4411
we can build student interaction and do face-toface instruction safely, the better off we are going to be,� he said. “We will just see where it goes. We will continue to watch what happens with COVID. We will continue to watch the safety and health of students. That is going to have to be our top priority over the next few months until we get vaccines in people and start to see a downward trend in COVID.� Before the nominations began, Walters thanked his fellow board members for the opportunity to serve as chairman for the last four years. “I think we have accomplished quite a bit together during that period of time, and I thank you for your confidence in selecting me for that position and look forward to continuing to work with you as a member of the board,� he said. Valarie Ayers, who represents District 3, then nominated Cole for chairman but didn’t receive a second to her motion. Then Susan Smith, District 2, nominated Hymel, which received a second from Walters. After Ayers had received Hymel’s assurance that she would receive the chairman training from the Virginia School Boards Association, the vote proceeded and Hymel was elected unanimously.
Advertise in Church Directory.
Powhatan Christian Fellowship Sunday Morning Worship 11:00 a.m.
Worship Service 11:00 am Sunday School 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 am Wednesday Night 7:30 p.m. Located 1950 Ridge Road (Rt. 627) 2/10th of a mile north of Rt. 13
see APPEAL, pg. 8
3308 Pleasants Road, 1/4 mile off of Route 711 Russ Cress, Pastor 598-0733
St. John Neumann Catholic Church Rev. Walter G. Lewis, Pastor Saturday - 5 p.m. Sunday - 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m. 598-3754 www.sjnpowhatan.org Located behind Flat Rock Village Shopping Center
Call 804-746-1235 ext. 2 for details.
