Individual found not guilty by reason of insanity in New Kent Circuit Court; undergoing further psychiatric evaluation

Groves

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A Providence Forge resident who attacked a woman at Pine Fork Park in 2023 has been found not guilty by reason of insanity.

Haley Meila Groves, 26, of the 2700 block of Windsor Shades Lane, had charges of strangulation, abduction (two counts), robbery with injury, assault and battery of a law enforcement officer, malicious assault, attempted rape, felony destruction of property, misdemeanor false identification to a law enforcement officer, misdemeanor tampering with a vehicle, and misdemeanor assault and battery (two counts) acquitted by Judge B. Elliott Bondurant as part of Monday afternoon proceedings in New Kent Circuit Court.

According to state law, when a defendant is found not guilty by reason of insanity, the individual is placed into the custody of the Department of Behavior Health and Developmental Services. With the finding rendered by the court, the department has approximately 45 days to determine if Groves needs to be committed to a psychiatric facility for additional care, released to the public with conditions, or released to the public without conditions. The charges are also acquitted under the state statute.

In a summary of evidence provided by special prosecutor Tyler Klink, on Apr. 14, 2023, the victim was sitting in a car in Pine Fork Park after walking when an individual got inside of their vehicle. For nearly an hour, the individual attacked the victim inside of the vehicle. The victim was able to finally escape from their vehicle, but the individual, later identified as Groves, continued to attack the victim. A Good Samaritan stepped in an attempt to stop the assault but had difficulties pulling Groves away from the victim. A second individual intervened to assist with stopping the attack, eventually helping to subdue Groves until law enforcement officers arrived. As New Kent deputies arrived, Groves pushed and kicked one of the officers.

Officers interviewed Groves about the incident. Groves said that they saw a computer morphing into demons and when they saw the victim, thought that they were a demon. Groves added that they believed the victim was also a former fling. Meanwhile, the victim told officers that they did not know who Groves was, and that they were threatened by the defendant and making comments that the defendant was going to have sex with them. The defendant also stole a ring with a cross from the victim, damaging it beyond repair. Pictures presented in court showed marks and injuries suffered by the victim from the attack by Groves.

Groves was evaluated by Dr. Evan Nelson and Dr. Kevin McWilliams for insanity at the time of the crime. Both doctors responded with similar reports, stating in their professional opinion that the defendant was insane during the events of the time.

Groves will undergo another psychiatric evaluation during the next 45 days to determine what type of additional action is needed. A decision on his future has been scheduled for Sept. 16.

In an unrelated case, a woman will spend more than five years in prison after receiving sentencing for distributing drugs in New Kent.

Nancy Jeannette Campbell, 42, of the 19000 block of Eltham Road, West Point, learned her time of incarceration during her sentencing Monday morning.

During an Apr. 29 trial, Campbell entered into a plea agreement by pleading guilty to two counts of distributing a Schedule I/II drug. During that trial, evidence presented showed that on Aug. 4, 2023, a confidential informant went to the 7-Eleven in Eltham and met Campbell there to buy drugs. The duo left the store and went to a residence to complete the purchase. A second occurrence took place on Aug. 18, 2023, with the duo meeting at the West Point in McDonald’s before driving to the same residence in Eltham to buy cocaine. After the second controlled buy, the defendant was arrested on the charges.

Campbell received a 20-year sentence with 14 years, 11 months suspended (five years, one month to serve) on the first count of distributing a Schedule I/II drug. All 20 years on the second conviction were suspended. The defendant must also pay $2,000 in fines.