12-17-2010, 03:46 PM
easley arraigned today on abduction charge. not charged with murder yet.
Roanoke.com
Jeffrey Easley, accused of fleeing Roanoke County with his slain girlfriend's 12-year-old daughter, was brought into court today, where a judge confronted him with the abduction charge.
Easley, 32, unshaven, handcuffed and dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit, was asked by Roanoke County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judge Philip Trompeter if he needed a court-appointed lawyer.
"Yes Sir," Easley answered in a low voice.
He told the judge he lost his job about six weeks ago and has no income, real estate or car. The judge appointed attorney Thomas Roe Jr., who was at today's hearing at Easley's side.
Easley was returned to Roanoke County on Wednesday from San Francisco, where he was found panhandling outside a supermarket with 12-year-old Brittany Smith.
He was charged with abducting the girl, whose mother, Tina Smith, 41, was found slain Dec. 6 in the home she shared with Easley and Brittany on Fort Lewis Circle. Easley is a suspect in Tina Smith's death, Roanoke County Police Chief Ray Lavinder said.
Commonwealth's Attorney Randy Leach said after today's hearing that there was no timetable for charges in Tina Smith's slaying. He wouldn't say whether anyone else was likely to face charges in the case.
Trompeter's small courtroom was crowded with reporters and Easley's mother, Sallie Martin, and step-father, who live in Franklin County.
The hearing, over in less than 10 minutes, ended with Easley hauled back to Roanoke County-Salem Jail without bail. Trompeter scheduled a preliminary hearing on the abduction charge for Feb. 8.
Roe said he spoke to Easley today for the first time.
"He seemed like he had his wits about him and is concerned about the charges," said Roe. He said he planned to talk with Easley further this weekend.
Easley is being held in isolation, under suicide watch. Neither the lawyer nor police would say why. Roe said Easley asked to be taken off suicide watch.
Easley also was charged in Salem with credit card fraud, for allegedly using Tina Smith's credit card to buy camping gear at the Salem Walmart before he and Brittany headed west.
Roanoke.com
Jeffrey Easley, accused of fleeing Roanoke County with his slain girlfriend's 12-year-old daughter, was brought into court today, where a judge confronted him with the abduction charge.
Easley, 32, unshaven, handcuffed and dressed in an orange jail jumpsuit, was asked by Roanoke County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judge Philip Trompeter if he needed a court-appointed lawyer.
"Yes Sir," Easley answered in a low voice.
He told the judge he lost his job about six weeks ago and has no income, real estate or car. The judge appointed attorney Thomas Roe Jr., who was at today's hearing at Easley's side.
Easley was returned to Roanoke County on Wednesday from San Francisco, where he was found panhandling outside a supermarket with 12-year-old Brittany Smith.
He was charged with abducting the girl, whose mother, Tina Smith, 41, was found slain Dec. 6 in the home she shared with Easley and Brittany on Fort Lewis Circle. Easley is a suspect in Tina Smith's death, Roanoke County Police Chief Ray Lavinder said.
Commonwealth's Attorney Randy Leach said after today's hearing that there was no timetable for charges in Tina Smith's slaying. He wouldn't say whether anyone else was likely to face charges in the case.
Trompeter's small courtroom was crowded with reporters and Easley's mother, Sallie Martin, and step-father, who live in Franklin County.
The hearing, over in less than 10 minutes, ended with Easley hauled back to Roanoke County-Salem Jail without bail. Trompeter scheduled a preliminary hearing on the abduction charge for Feb. 8.
Roe said he spoke to Easley today for the first time.
"He seemed like he had his wits about him and is concerned about the charges," said Roe. He said he planned to talk with Easley further this weekend.
Easley is being held in isolation, under suicide watch. Neither the lawyer nor police would say why. Roe said Easley asked to be taken off suicide watch.
Easley also was charged in Salem with credit card fraud, for allegedly using Tina Smith's credit card to buy camping gear at the Salem Walmart before he and Brittany headed west.