by Laurence Hammack | Sep 12, 2010 | Courts/legal issues
CHATHAM — The life story of Teresa Lewis — one of “greed, lust, lies, all woven into murder-for-hire,” as told by the presiding judge — is nearing its predetermined end. At 9 p.m. Sept. 23, Lewis is scheduled to be executed for the...
by Laurence Hammack | Apr 13, 2010 | Environment
FAIRLAWN — They make things that blow up at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant, so it’s no surprise that the industrial waste there is a bit dicey. The arsenal released 14 million pounds of toxins into the New River in 2008, byproducts of making...
by Laurence Hammack | Mar 7, 2010 | Prisons
STATE FARM — Henry Stump is quick to smile, even though he’s spent all but one of his adult years in prison and is now pushing 50. His face betrays no anger when he talks about being denied parole 18 times since 1991. More than anything, Stump is puzzled....
by Laurence Hammack | Jan 31, 2010 | Miscellaneous (mostly animals)
On a raw and rainy Sunday afternoon, the regulars at Charbel’s Sports Grill found a safe haven to shoot pool, drink beer and watch the NFL championship games on television. And to smoke, despite a new law against it. Two months after Virginia prohibited smoking...
by Laurence Hammack | Nov 3, 2009 | Courts/legal issues
The plot was bizarre, carefully planned and amateurishly executed: To make money in America, three young men from refugee families set out to find a wealthy woman, abduct her from her home and hold her for ransom. It all unraveled as soon as Audrey Levicki answered...