Burglary suspects walk due to lack of evidence in court

Two Highland Springs men walked out of New Kent Circuit Court Monday afternoon after lack of physical evidence could place them at crime scenes on Sept. 25-26 of last year.

Justin Andrew Sandford, 23, of 321 Perth Lane, and Adam Dale Young Jr., 25, were found not guilty on one count each of attempted breaking and entering and breaking and entering at two different stores in New Kent.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Linwood Gregory said Sandford and Young accompanied a third co-defendant, James Tillis Wickline Jr., 23, of 8030 Old Roxbury Road, Quinton, on Sept. 25-26 when the trio allegedly broke into Tony’s High Performance shop on Route 60 before traveling to Eltham and trying the same thing at Surf & Turf, a sporting goods store.

Wickline, who confessed to his burglary activity at the two locations, spoke on what allegedly happened.

“We came up with the idea,” said Wickline on why the three of them were committing the crimes. “At Tony’s High Performance, me and Adam went through a glass by the door and saw the light come on and sped away in Adam’s vehicle.”

Wickline said at that location, Sandford was the lookout and that Sandford participated in the actual break-in at Surf & Turf. He also said the trio was looking to steal money and tools.

Gregory pointed out that the trio also committed similar crimes in other jurisdictions, but Sandford’s attorney, Martin Mooradian, quickly asked Judge Thomas B. Hoover to dismiss allegations that the three co-defendants always committed crimes together. Hoover agreed with Mooradian, before turning his questioning to Wickline.

“Why are you testifying against these two co-defendants?” the judge asked. “Are you getting a plea deal or hoping to get one out of this?”

“I realized I was wrong,” Wickline replied.

“How am I supposed to believe you when there isn’t any independent evidence other than your testimony?” Hoover asked.

“It’s sworn testimony,” responded Wickline.

Hoover’s points were key questions that Mooradian and Young’s defense attorney, Scott Renick, would use in their clients’ defense.

“Beside the fact that they all knew each other and all three lived together, there’s nothing there to link them [to these offenses.],” said Mooradian. “A co-defendant’s confession can be unreliable if it shifts blame.

“None of the evidence is there; it’s just testimony, that’s it.”

Gregory closed his arguments and pointed to testimony given by Young and Sandford earlier in the trial.

“You have two men with felonies on their record, including one [Young] who has lied under oath. The two of them said they weren’t with Wickline on the dates but they also said they could tell us where they were. I believe Wickline realized the error of his ways and he confessed to other crimes in five other jurisdictions.”

Renick said that the events and actions hurt the credibility of Wickline’s testimony.

“Consistency is an issue,” said Renick. “[Wickline] just didn’t come out of the blue to confess this. He knows he has major time hanging over his head and just to do this seems odd.”

Hoover agreed with the defense counsel, saying that with nothing there to prove the co-defendants were physically there hurt Wickline’s credibility.

“Simply on Mr. Wickline’s testimony and with no forensics, no fingerprints, or any other evidence, I can’t charge them with any criminal charges.”

In other cases heard Monday:

–Marylee Lynette Crawley, 23, of 9220 Boulevard Rd., Providence Forge, accepted a plea deal on amended charges of attempted burglary and misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor that occurred last Aug. 21. A possession of heroin charge was dropped. Under the agreement, all 10 years for attempted burglary and one year for delinquency of a minor were suspended.

— Robert Allen Lawrence, 54, of 2330 Hubbard Lane, Lanexa, accepted a plea deal on two counts of being on school property after being a registered sex offender. Lawrence admitted he was on the property on Nov. 9 and 19 of last year to see his grandchildren. Under the agreement, his sentence is recommended to be the time he’s served in jail until his next court date on April 8.

— David Allen Webb Richardson, 35, of 4011 Henpeck Road, Quinton, pleaded guilty on an amended charge of misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor and misdemeanor driving under the influence. In a summary of evidence, authorities were advised last Sept. 11 that Richardson was driving home with his son from football practice and could be intoxicated. After Richardson was pulled over, he failed a sobriety test and was later found to have a blood/alcohol level more than three times the legal limit. Under a plea agreement, Richardson was sentenced to one and a half years in jail with all but 20 days suspended.