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Security tight for Gray Murder suspect makes appearance Unprecedented security in place as death-row inmate makes first court appearance in Culpeper murder case Date published: 1/4/2007
Smiling and appearing cocky, the man accused of killing Sheryl Ann Embrey Warner made his first appearance in Culpeper County Circuit Court yesterday.
Ricky Javon Gray, who was indicted two weeks ago on first-degree murder charges, seemed almost to savor the attention he was receiving as he answered Circuit Judge John Cullen's questions about the need for a court-appointed attorney. When asked if he had any income, Gray replied, "Sir, I'm currently on death row!" In August, Gray was convicted of killing four members of a Richmond family--part of a grisly two-month spree of nine slayings authorities have attributed to him and his nephew, Joseph Ray Dandridge. Cullen told Gray that an attorney would be selected for him this week. He scheduled another court appearance for Monday. About half a dozen members of Warner's family--including the victim's father, sister and ex-husband--watched soberly as Gray was led into the courtroom under unprecedented security. More than a dozen uniformed and plainclothes officers, including Sheriff Lee Hart and sheriff's Maj. Jim Branch, rimmed the historic courtroom during the 15-minute proceeding. Outside, security was even tighter as Gray was escorted from a side door of the courthouse to a van waiting to return the defendant to Sussex Correctional Center near Waverly. Snipers watched from the courthouse roof as Gray, who smiled and joked as he walked, was slowly led some 25 yards to the vehicle on Davis Street. "We have to look at the protection of all concerned," Hart said after explaining that such precautions had never previously been used for any Culpeper court appearance. Gray is already facing the death penalty and two life sentences without parole for the New Year's Eve 2005 murders of musician Bryan Harvey, 49, his 39-year-old wife, Kathryn, and their two daughters, 9-year-old Stella and 4-year-old Ruby. The victims were found dead the next day in the basement of their Richmond home. They had been bound and their throats cut, and the house had been set on fire. Gray also confessed to killing his 35-year-old wife, Treva Terrell Gray, in Washington, Pa., on Nov. 5, 2005. He told authorities he beat her to death in their bed with a pipe while Dandridge held her down.
Date published: 1/4/2007
Wow how secure can we be with snipers, a bullet resistant vest and then put a blaze orange stocking hat on his head? Must be looking for a head shot!!! Not very thoughtful security, but I wouldn't waste the tax payers money on any death row scum.
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