Four former UVa students have been fined $500,000 in total for their 1997 attack on fellow student Alexander Kory. Richard W. Smith (son of FedEx Chairman Fredrick Smith) was ordered to pay $200,000 in punitive damanges, and Harrison Tigrett (brother of the founder of the Hard Rock Cafe), Bradley Kintz and Wesley McCluney were each ordered to pay $60,000 in punitive damanges. The four men attacked and beat the victim four years ago this week, laughing as they kicked and hit him, breaking his jaw in the process. The attack and the subsequent legal wrangling was a major issue among UVa students that year; it was widely believed that the school was going easy on the attackers due to their family’s wealth. Adrienne Schwisow has the full story in today’s Progress.
Sideblog
Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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After the golden parachute he received as a result of losing his cushy executive position at Value America (thanks, dad!), I’m sure $200,000 isn’t a big deal for Smith. Anyway, he’ll probably file a counter-suit against Kory. What a jerk.