A recent tragedy in the state of Virginia has left one girl dead and two college students facing criminal charges. A 13-year-old girl was reported missing and was last seen at her home. Approximately three days later, Virginia police found her body along Highway 89.
Two students, an 18-year-old man and a 19-year-old woman, were arrested and charged with crimes relating to the girl’s death. They will need a solid criminal defense strategy to avoid the most severe consequences.
The man has been charged with first-degree murder and abduction. The woman is facing charges of felony improper disposal of a body and misdemeanor accessory after the fact. The suspects remain in jail without bond. Virginia Tech has placed both students on interim suspension because of their felony charges. They have yet to enter a plea, but their next hearings are scheduled for late March.
Police believe that the man and the young girl were acquaintances, and he used this relationship to commit the alleged crime. The girl’s mother said that she experienced bullying at school and on social media.
In cases involving devastating tragedy, people like to blame whoever is arrested for the crime. But, the United States justice system operates under the presumption, “innocent until proven guilty.” It is important to remember that those facing charges have not been convicted and should not be treated as guilty.
With the right defense strategy, even those who are charged with serious crimes can have their charges reduced or dropped completely. If the charges are dropped, the accused may be able to resume their normal day-to-day lives.
Source: WXII 12, “2 Virginia Tech students charged after 13-year-old found dead in Surry County,” Feb. 1, 2016
