Second high-profile defendant turns to Norment

[unhappycamper]

http://hamptonroads.com/2014/01/second-highprofile-defendant-turns-norment

Second high-profile defendant turns to Norment
By Kathy Adams
Patrick Wilson
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 2, 2014

Facing a DUI or traffic charge? You might want to retain the state's Senate majority leader to represent you.

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The retired judge appointed by the Virginia Supreme Court to hear the case was Thomas L. Murphey of Chesterfield, who joined the bench in 1994, when both Norment and Ken Stolle Sr. served on the Senate committee that screens judicial nominees. Norment now chairs that committee.

Underwood's office prosecuted the case so Beach prosecutors could avoid a conflict of interest. Underwood assigned Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Marvin Smith Jr., who had been with the office about 18 months, to handle it in court.

On April 30, Murphey ruled there was no probable cause for the drunken driving arrest and did not allow Stolle Jr.'s blood alcohol content to be entered into evidence. Murphey convicted Stolle Jr. of misdemeanor hit-and-run and fined him $250.