Gene Marrano
Shawn Hunter (right)/Gene Marrano WFIR photo
A judge has found Peacemakers President Shawn Hunter not guilty of all three charges related to a lewd photo Hunter said he had sent to Roanoke Times reporter Amy Friedenberger by accident. Judge Thomas Roe Jr said he did not believe the prosecution had proved that case – nor any intent to distribute or sell the photo. Outside the court house in Roanoke, Hunter spoke afterwards. Hunter said again that he will run for Roanoke City Council – adding that he will work to make sure The Peacemakers citizen’s group gets back on track. His trial had been delayed three times since the original court date last November:
Major league baseball spring training starts this week and one front office executive for the Chicago Cubs is now a local Hall of Famer as well. WFIR’s Gene Marrano has that story:
Shawn Hunter
UPDATE: A judge has found Peacemakers President Shawn Hunter not guilty of all three charges. Hunter had been charged after sending a lewd photo to a Roanoke Times reporter. He says it was accidental.
PREVIOUS: There was no shortage of media coverage yesterday when the trial for Peacemakers founder Shawn Hunter was delayed and two new misdemeanor charges regarding a lewd picture sent to Roanoke Times reporter Amy Friedenberger were announced – except in the Times, which ran no story today despite having a reporter in the courtroom. Hunter says he apologized after sending that intimate photo by mistake to Friedenberger – and that there was no “intent,” as the original computer harassment charge requires. Hunter also claims his attorney told him video of a Roanoke police detective interviewing Friedenberger indicates she was told there would have to be “intent” for the misdemeanor charge to valid. Outside the courthouse Shawn Hunter spoke his mind about the Times – and the charges.
Virginia Tech upsets Virginia on the basketball court Saturday night. Its all about the “D” says Hokies coach Buzz Williams.
February is “Carilion Heart Month” and sudden cardiac death among young athletes is one subject in the spotlight. More from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:Shawn Hunter
Deciding not to wait for his court hearing on computer harassment charges scheduled for Monday morning, Peacemakers founder Shawn Hunter has declared his independent run for Roanoke City Council. He did so in a Facebook post released today. Hunter said in the video – complete with a music score – that the current city council group is not doing enough to make northwest Roanoke and other communities safe, or to create enough jobs.
An event held annually since 2012 that highlights violence against women returns to Valley View Mall at noon tomorrow. Captain Monica Seilor from the Roanoke Salvation Army is a featured speaker and a self-defense class is part of the program. Amanda Holcomb is with the Council of Community Services, a co-sponsor for “One Billion Rising.” Holcomb says the trafficking of girls and women in the Roanoke area will also be featured.
A correction – the Harrison Museum of African American Culture’s “Gospel Extravaganza” to benefit the Museum at Center in the Square is this Sunday, at 3pm next door on Mill Mountain Theatre’s “Trinkle Main Stage.” We originally reported it as tomorrow – but it is on Sunday. A $5 dollar donation is suggested and concert goers can also tour the museum for free – where the works of two photojournalists are now featured. Charles Price is board president for the museum:
It may be too late today of course – but are you ready to “Crush Friday” with a day off soon? More on a new statewide promotion from WFIR’s Gene Marrano:
Media outlets report that David Eisenhauer is pleading no contest to abduction, murder, and concealing a body in the Nicole Lovell case. Pleading no contest means he waives his right to a trial. He cannot appeal the case either. Those charges could amount to life plus 15 years.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Mary Pettit, Blacksburg Police Chief Anthony Wilson and Nicole Lovell’s mother, Tammy Weeks, offered brief comments after the case concluded. Here are their full remarks: