Nathan Antonio Washington was sentenced to four life terms this afternoon, Rob Seal writes in the Daily Progress. Just before his sentence was read, the notorious serial rapist said to the judge: “I didn’t mean for these things to happen they way they did. I had no self-control. I always thought I was good, until I was tempted.” Oddly, he only pleaded guilty to five rapes, with Seal writing that “a sixth attack will not be pursued.” Lab results will show whether he should also be charged with a 1997 rape in Waynesboro.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
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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Archive for Sideblog »
Another major embarrassment for the local law enforcement agencies. 10 years of chasing their own tails and never could develop a suspect. If it wasn’t for the keen eye and observations by one of the victims this guy would still be walking the street seeking out new victims. She deserves every penny of the reward to be awarded her later this week. What is it, $55,000? I think I read $55,000 somehwere!
“Another major embarrassment for the local law enforcement agencies.” I see no reason why the local law enforcement should be embarrassed. They don’t work with TV scripts.
Karma is the great equalizer……JC
CVille Eye, you must be kidding? Local law enforcement could NEVER solve the serial rapist case for ten years? And yet a victim with no law enforcement training or investigative skills comes along and tells them, “hey, this is the guy!” Sure, the coppers then put the guy under surveillance and make the cases. I applaud the victim, not the coppers who are trying to pat themselves on the back.
I don’t plan to look up any statistics, but most crimes are solved by victims saying “hey, this is the guy!” except on TV.
Not true. Eyewitness identification is so unreliable that most judges won’t even consider it. And in jury trials special instructions are usually given to the jury about eyewitness identification. An excellent book on this subject is “Eyewitness Testimony”, by Elizabeth F. Loftus.
Don’t you recall when the Charlottesville Newsplex did a special series on eyewitness identification back in 2005? This was shortly after a police department 120 miles away arrested a local 5’11” 220 pound 52-year-old white male with gray hair and mustache…. when the suspect was clearly described as a 5’8″ 20ish-year-old hispanic male with black hair and no mustache. In all fairness to them, but certainly not an acceptable excuse for conducting such a haphazard and sloppy investigation, the police department 120 miles away was given false and misleading self serving information by local authorities. I think it’s pretty safe to say they did NO investigation and relied solely on the false and misleading self serving information provided them. The charge against the suspect was laughed out of court BEFORE he had to utter one single word. OK, back to the tale, the Charlottesville Newsplex sent two young adults walking down the street and told them they were going to get robbed. After the robbery they were brought back and asked to identify their assailants. Neithe one of the “victims” gave anywhere near the same description for either of the assailants. It really was like a script from the sitcom Reno 911 on television.
Notwithstanding all of the above, the victim in the serial rapist cases tried to give her observations and gut feelings to law enforcement long before they finally decided to look into it. If I recall correctly, the victim had to approach law enforcement twice before they would take her serious or listen to what she had to say. This is one case where you might say eyewitness identification was done quite well by the victim of the serial rapist.
uuuuuuuuuuu0.
“Eyewitness identification is so unreliable that most judges won’t even consider it.” Not true the world over. I did not say eyewitnesses are infallible. Police ask “Who hit you?” “Who stole your wallet?” “Who was driving the car?” “Who sold you the alcohol?” “Who threw the rock?” “Who was going through the door when the alarm went off?” See?
No, I don’t see. WTF did you just say?
By the way, the news now reports the girl who solved the serial rapist cases got $60,000. Way to go girl!
I really didn’t think you would.
And these are the same cops you folks want to provide subsidized housing for and increase their salaries into the stratosphere. I say they all should be reduced in rank to meter maids, and made to walk a beat, and that includes the chief. Good ol’ john q. public has once again solved the case. Wonder if this young lady would like to take this “senior citizen” to dinner with her new found wealth? Enjoy your money girl and spend it like its the last you’ll ever have.
Hell Jogger, you should take miss/mrs john q. public to dinner in appeciation of her solving this serial rapist case after the cops couldnt solve it for over 10 years. If you do I will pick up the entire tab!
The cops could have probably solved this case long ago if the rapist had been hanging around a donut shop rather that working in a meat market.
Jogger, crimes are solved when citizens crack the cases. Just like in this case. 10 plus years without the right tip and the serial rapist case remained unsolved by the police. I wonder if the police will pat each other on the back for finally solving this crime while handing out commendations at this year’s Police Awards banquet? Across the bottom the trophies can read, “Only took a decade to solve, proud to be a member of the team!” On the front of the trophy cup there can be an image of a cop chasing his own tail, with a 10 year calender in the background!
Another interesting case I learned about back in 2005 was the murder of Sheriff Dunning’s wife in Alexandria, Virginia. It still remains unsolved. And it will remain unsolved until a citizen calls in the right tip, with directions on how to use the tip, and maybe with a dozen 8 x 10 glossy photographs explaing the directions on how to use the tip.
I wonder what is it that the ppolice should be doing that they are not doing in order to solve the murder of Sheriff Dunning’s wife. Anybody got any ideas?
Good question, CVille Eye. Maybe they should have been concentrating their efforts on the felony murder investigation instead of wasting their time investigating a misdemeanor and coming to Charlottesville to falsely arrest a 52 year old 220 pound 5’11” white male with gray hair and a mustache, when the real suspect was clealy described as a 5’8″ 20ish-year-old hispanic male with black hair and no mustache? I would hate to think the murder of a sheriff’s wife would remain unsolved forever. Sure doesn’t help ease the mind when law enforcement can’t solve the murder of one so close to them.
ps – when the real suspect was clealy described as a 140 pound 5′8″ 20ish-year-old hispanic male with black hair and no mustache?
Forgot to put 140 pounds in the reply above
Steve , I mean Demopublican, In court did’nt the vicitm pick you out?
Demopublican has finally been outted as the local fired deputy who fell asleep on the job. Iknowcville apparently does know Cville.
Very close guess. Try again. And please keep talking. :)
Cops rape girls too:
February 24, 2008
OCEAN CITY, MARYLAND – Police in the resort said they are charging 31-year-old Zachary Dennis Taylor of Ruther Glen, Va. with second-degree rape following an incident that took place last weekend.
Taylor, whom police said is a Fairfax County, Va. deputy sheriff, is accused of raping a 22-year-old woman after escorting her home from a nightclub.
The victim told police that Taylor left the bar with her after she became intoxicated and walked with her back to Taylor’s hotel room, where he allegedly sexually assaulted her. Afterwards, Taylor put her on an elevator and left, police said.
Hotel employees called police after finding the woman crying in the lobby of the hotel.
Taylor is expected to surrender to police on Thursday, an Ocean City police spokesman said.
“I always thought I was good, until I was tempted.”
can you believe he said this?? TEMPTED???? WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! He is such a sucka to me this dude. I cannot believe this guy…