Tag: courts
Supreme Court rejects appeal on redistricting
The U.S. Supreme Court on May 15 rejected an emergency request by Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones to overturn a ruling by the state Supreme Court that invalidated a vote on redistricting. The one-sentence decision by the justices does not give a reason and does not provide a vote count. In April, Virginians passed a … Continued
Virginia redistricting ruling challenged in the Supreme Court
Virginia Attorney General Jay Jones and other Democratic leaders filed an emergency application to the U.S. Supreme Court on May 11, asking the justices to let the state proceed with the congressional redistricting map approved by voters. On May 8, a 4-3 ruling by the Virginia Supreme Court found that the constitutional amendment put forth … Continued
State Supreme Court strikes down redistricting amendment
In a major victory for Republicans, the Virginia Supreme Court on May 8 struck down a constitutional amendment on congressional redistricting narrowly passed by voters on April 21. The measure would have allowed the Democrats to flip four seats in the House of Representatives – with the ultimate goal of giving Democrats control over the … Continued
Federal court revisits officer-involved shooting case
A federal appeals court has ruled that Fairfax County police Sgt. Joshua Moser, who shot and wounded a suspected drug dealer in Seven Corners three years ago, might have violated the suspect’s constitutional rights. Judge Nicole Berner of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit on April 13 vacated a ruling in favor … Continued
Brendan Banfield convicted of aggravated murder
In a case that drew national attention, Brendan Banfield was convicted of aggravated murder on Feb. 2 for killing his wife, Christine Banfield, 37, and Joseph Ryan, 39, Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced on Feb. 2. The crime occurred at the Banfield’s home in Reston on Feb. 24, 2023. The jury convicted Banfield, a law … Continued
Man convicted of 2021 ATM murder
Winston Nathaniel Lark IV, 20, was convicted by a jury of first-degree felony murder for killing Nelson Alexander, 73, during an ATM robbery, Commonwealth’s Attorney Steve Descano announced Jan. 22. Lark was also convicted of using a firearm in committing a murder. In the early morning of Oct. 20, 2021, Alexander, of Falls Church, went … Continued
Annandale man gets 10 years for drug crimes
A federal court sentenced an Annandale man to 10 years in prison for possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, the FBI reported Dec. 11. According to court documents, David Monroy, 28, was convicted in 2017 on three counts of possession with intent to … Continued
Supervisors object to Trump’s attack on the rule of law
Eight members of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors issued a statement on Sept. 22 objecting to President Trump’s actions against U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert. “President Trump’s reported pressuring of Interim U.S. Attorney Erik Siebert to resign because he failed to find evidence against the president’s political enemies is an attack on the rule of … Continued
School Board appeals ruling on bathroom policy
The Fairfax County School Board is continuing its efforts to resolve a conflict with the U.S. Department of Education over the school system’s policy that allows students to use bathrooms and locker rooms based on their gender identity. In a Sept. 15 update to the community, Superintendent Michelle Reid said the school board filed an … Continued
Clerk of the court focuses on improved access
Fairfax County court records are now more accessible than ever, due to innovations implemented by Clerk of the Court Chris Falcon. “All people deserve the right to access their case information,” Falcon said at a community barbecue he hosted at Mason District Park on Aug. 16. Until recently, people had to physically go to the … Continued
Brothers sent to prison for armed robberies
Three brothers have been sentenced to prison for a series of armed robberies across Virginia and Maryland, including the robbery of a tobacco shop in Bailey’s Crossroads. A news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of Virginia says the brothers, from Washington, D.C., robbed a convenience store, four tobacco shops, and … Continued
Fairfax courts reopen Monday
The Fairfax County Courthouse will reopen on Monday, May 19, with some modifications, the county reports. The Circuit Court and General District Court will resume in-person operations, although visitors may experience delays in accessing the building or services. The Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court will operate out of the Historic Courthouse at 4000 Chain … Continued
Lawsuit accuses school board member of embezzlement
Fairfax County at-large school board member Kyle McDaniel has been sued for embezzling tens of thousands of dollars from the aviation company he worked for. In a story first reported by Fox 5 DC, Blue Label Aviation Inc. accuses McDaniel of using a company credit card for $175,000 worth of personal expenses. The lawsuit says … Continued
Officials warn public about jury scams
Fairfax County Circuit Court officials are issuing an urgent warning to residents about a surge in jury duty scams.
Former sheriff’s deputy gets jail time for bringing drugs to an inmate
A former Fairfax County deputy was sentenced in federal court to 78 months in prison for bringing drugs to an inmate at the Adult Detention Center and to sex trafficking victims.