TIME MACHINE ... This Sunday's Preview.

1990.. Great economic news for Pocomoke City; 1939.. Big festival in Onancock celebrates Delmarva's chief product of that era; 1941.. War effort production evident in Crisfield; 1891.. Merchant offers Eastern Shore of Virginia customers "Free Travel" to Pocomoke City; 1893.. Miss Nellie stands her ground against Pocomoke burglar.

Although you may not find all of these items in a history book, they are a part of our local history and you can read more about it this Sunday right here at The Pocomoke Public Eye! 


Do you have a local memory to share with PPE readers.. such as a big snow storm, a favorite school teacher, a local happening, something of interest your parents or grandparents told you about? It can be just a line or two, or more if you wish. Send to tkforppe@yahoo.com and watch for it on a future TIME MACHINE posting!

NASA's Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel Releases 2013 Annual Report

The Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel (ASAP), an advisory committee that reports to NASA and Congress, has released its 2013 annual report examining NASA's safety performance over the past year and highlighting issues and concerns to agency and government officials.

The report released Wednesday is based on the panel's 2013 fact-finding and quarterly public meetings; "insight" visits and meetings; direct observations of NASA operations and decision-making processes; discussions with NASA management, employees, and contractors; and the panel members' own experience.

"This year's annual report centers on risk, risk management, accountability, and transparency," said panel chairman Joseph W. Dyer. "The panel notes that in pursuit of a U.S. capability to launch humans into space, and in light of constrained budgets, an argument to accept additional risk could be rationally put forward. The ASAP underscores the need to speak transparently about risk and reward. Acceptable risk needs to be formally accepted, made accountable, and explained to the NASA team, Congress, and the public."

The 2013 report highlights: 

-- Commercial Crew Program
-- Exploration Systems Development
-- Funding Uncertainty
-- International Space Station (ISS)
-- Technical Authority
-- Risk Management

The panel reported significant progress has been made in improving safety related to the International Space Station by implementing measures to mitigate the risk of damage to the station from micrometeoroid and orbital debris, as well as planning for the end-of-life and deorbit of the station.

The panel was most pleased to report NASA has clearly articulated changes to the technical authority process, in which technical experts apply their specific expertise to resolve questions and concerns, and is in the process of implementing them. The panel recommended NASA fully adopt these changes without delay.

Congress established the panel in 1968 to provide advice and make recommendations to the NASA administrator on safety matters after the Apollo 1 fire that claimed the lives of three American astronauts in 1967.

For more information about the Aerospace Safety Advisory Panel and to view the 2013 report, visit:

http://oiir.hq.nasa.gov/asap/index.html

Former WTKR Anchor Person Enters Guilty Plea

Court documents detail international fraud

By    Rachel West

 

NORFOLK, Va. ( WAVY ) - Former WTKR anchor Juliet Bickford pleaded guilty Wednesday to filing a false tax return, but court documents paint a much larger picture.

The charge was a misdemeanor and Bickford was released on a personal recognizance bond.
According to the statement of facts on the case, Bickford lived with a boyfriend from at least September 2009 through September 2011 who had no regular employment in the United States. The boyfriend is not named and is only listed as a Canadian national.

Documents state Bickford held a Bank of America account, which she allowed her boyfriend to use to receive various wire transfers. From May 2009 to September 2011, Bickford's account received about $526,530.51 in wire transfers from foreign bank accounts in the Bahamas, Canada and Turks and Caicos, all in the names of Cullen Johnson and/or Elaine White. Some of the funds were used for joint expenses of Bickford and her boyfriend.

READ MORE...

BALTIMORE MAN ARRESTED FOR TEXAS THEFT OF HIGH-END HANDBAGS

Maryland State Police Press Release

(BALTIMORE, MD) -- Maryland State Police criminal investigators located and arrested a Baltimore man who is wanted by Texas law enforcement in connection with the burglary and theft of high-end purses valued at $200,000.

The accused is identified as Edward M. Bryant, 40, of the 4100-block of Glenhunt Road, Baltimore, Md. He is being held on a fugitive warrant at the Harford County Detention Center as a result of felony warrants issued in Texas for burglary and theft over $100,000. Texas authorities have begun extradition proceedings against him.

Earlier this week, troopers in the Maryland State Police Criminal Enforcement Division were contacted by investigators from the West University Place (TX) Police Department, who requested assistance with the investigation of a December 7, 2013, residential burglary during which eight Herme´s handbags/purses valued at $200,000 were stolen. The investigation by West University Place Police had identified two suspects in Maryland, one of whom was Bryant.

Maryland State Police criminal investigators enlisted the assistance of personnel from the Maryland State Apprehension Team, the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center, the US Marshal’s Service and the Baltimore Sheriff’s Office. West University Place Police detectives flew to Maryland to work with State Police on the continuing investigation.

Bryant was arrested at his home without incident on the morning of January 14th. Police recovered four of the stolen handbags at another location in the Baltimore area which is not being identified due to the ongoing investigation. The handbags included three Herme´s Birkins, two valued at $38,000 each and one worth $30,000. The fourth was a Herme´s Kelly valued at $15,000.

A search for the second suspect is continuing. Additional charges are pending. The investigation is continuing. 

NASA Visitor Center ~ FREE ~ Movie Night

"Water Falls" 

A movie that will change the way you think about rain

FREE

 

Write Something About A Woman In Your Life & You Could Win A Free Lunch

Field Notes ~ By Delegate Mike McDermott

Field Notes

 

Observations and Reflections on Legislative Activities

 

By Delegate Mike McDermott

 

Week 1: Jan. 7-10, 2014

 

Tuesday-Joint Republican Caucus Hearing

 

Republican Senators and Delegates heard overviews on several of the issues that we will need to address in the coming months. We heard from Travis Brown, the author of “How Money Walks”. He provided insight into how money and people are moving from state to state. Maryland is one of the states that are losing people and money at an alarming rate.

Al Redmer provided information on the problems associated with Maryland-Obamacare roll out and other issues that are causing folks to be without health insurance or unable to afford what is being offered. The situation in Maryland is a real mess and there is talk of closing down the program and turning people over to the federal government program which only further confuses folks.

Lindsey Burke of the Heritage Foundation and Dr. Jack Smith from the Maryland Dept. of Education presented two differing sides on the Common Core rollout in our schools. This change of standards has caused quite a stir and left many with unanswered questions. I questioned Dr. Smith on a couple of items: Why was the program not phased in beginning with First Grade instead of requiring wholesale change even for those preparing to graduate? Why would Maryland (which lauds being “First” in the country in education) choose to move away from local controls which have been so effective in the past? Why should we adopt a program that gives partial credit on tests for wrong answers?

 

Dr. Smith’s answers: He does not know why the program was not phased in…this is the way it was presented (i.e.…if Maryland liberals want the money they have to dance for their supper). He feels adopting the new standards will keep us progressive in our education. Perhaps most interesting was his response to the kids receiving partial credit for wrong answers: He believes it is acceptable to give credit where a student has tried and showed some work product even if the final outcome was in error. To which I replied: “Doc, I do not want to drive over a Bay Bridge built by an engineer who got partial credit for a wrong math answer…how about you?”

 

We received an update from MACO President Rick Pollitt (Wicomico Executive) on Local and Regional Transportation Funding. Local governments continue to feel the pain of missing Transportation Funds that the state has failed to restore. Pollitt advised us how the group was looking for greater flexibility in local taxing authority as one means of covering these lost revenue. We agreed that the local tax burden for many counties was already maxed out and the citizens could not afford another back door tax to replace taxes they already pay for road projects. It is a grim picture, and, as I have stated many times, it represents a new normal for local government when it comes to returns of tax money from the state so long as these same folks are running the General Assembly and the Governor’s Mansion.

 

Congressman Andy Harris provided an update on federal activities and responded to several questions that were asked. Many focused on Obamacare and federal spending.

 

 

Wednesday-Opening of 2014 Session:

Opening Day begins at noon and is generally scripted ceremony along the lines of a spaghetti western. This year was slightly modified since the Republican Caucus decided to nominate Minority Leader Nick Kipke for Speaker of the House. Of course, the nomination was defeated on a voice vote. Following a scripted process, Busch was elected to continue as the Speaker of the House. No one could recall the last time the minority party nominated one of their own for the Speaker’s position.

 

Here is a list of my pre filed bills. Some have already been assigned hearing dates in January.

 

A curious side note occurred: Mayor Carl Anderton of Delmar, who is also the President of the Maryland Municipal League, was in attendance along with folks like Executive Rick Pollitt, who is President of the Maryland Association of Counties. It is common for elected guests such as Pollitt and Anderton to be allowed a special seat on the floor of the House during the Opening Day ceremonies. While Executive Pollitt had a seat, Anderton was told there was no seat available for him on the floor. There were well over 10-seats available. It made many of us ponder if there was any connection between this slight and the Mayor’s candidacy for the Delegate seat currently held by Norm Conway. If so, it would be an incredibly petty act on the part of leadership.

 

Thursday Morning Session:

 

No much to report. Some bills were on First Reader and assigned to committees.

 

 

Special Republican Caucus Meeting:

 

A meeting was called on Thursday morning to discuss the Democrat leadership plan to potentially expel Delegate Don Dwyer (R-Anne Arrundel) from the House. Dwyer explained the situation (Boating Accident/Subsequent DWI), apologized for his actions, and detailed his reclamation actions. He indicated his acceptance of the punishment outlined for him which included his expulsion from the Ways and Means Committee.

 

Delegate Dwyer is not the first member to ever have issues arise from drinking and driving and subsequent legal battles. There are some prominent members of the Democratic side of the House who have faced similar situations in the past.

 

 

Friday Morning Session:

 

Other than a few bills on First Reader, the only other action was the removal of Delegate Dwyer from his committee assignment while maintaining full House privileges. Dwyer took to the floor and apologized to the body bringing the wrong kind of attention to the House of Delegates. He also indicated his willingness to accept the actions taken by the House leadership and his committee removal. He asked for forgiveness from the membership. There were no further comments or actions requested or taken by the members.

 

 

Northampton County Circuit Court Indictments

Northampton  County Circuit Court  Indictments
Monday, January 13,2014


Carlos Brinkley Cardoza, Nassawadox was indicted for possession of a gun by a convicted felon and two counts of grand larceny.

Stephen Ray Carpenter, Townsend was indicted for malicious wounding, hit and run, attempted murder, use of a firearm during an attempted murder, abduction, strangulation, driving under the influence of drugs, driving on a suspended license, and possession of cocaine.

Breyon Jordan Frink, Exmore was indicted for malicious wounding and being part of a mob during a malicious wounding.

Wayne A. Kellam, Nassawadox was indicted for possession of a gun by a convicted felon.

Charles Alan Lewis, Exmore was indicted for driving after being declared an habitual offender; DUI; refusal, eluding and obstruction.

Laverne Ethel Manley, Cheriton was indicted for two counts of forgery and four counts of uttering.

Troy Earnest Moses,  Painter was indicted for third offense of larceny.

Shawn Eugene Nock,  Exmore was indicted for third offense DUI; driving on a suspended license third offense and illegal possession of a license plate.

Wilbert Lamont Sample, Jr., Eastville was indicted for malicious wounding.

Rudolph Alexander Seymour, Birdsnest was indicted for hit and run; driving on a revoked license; no insurance; and failure to yield right of way.

4th Friday Art Stroll ~ Downtown Pocomoke City

Local Art Stroll

on the 4th Friday of every month in Downtown Pocomoke !

Beginning  March 28th

 from 5 pm-8 pm

 

Live Entertainment & Local Artists fill the streets of Downtown Pocomoke.

Paintings, drawings, photography, crafts, jewelry & soaps are just to name a few of the vendors!

 

 

Free for all vendors.

Please email karah@cityofpocomoke.com for to sign up!

 

Like 4th FRIDAY on Facebook

click above

 

Dale Trotter Files for Pocomoke City Council Distric 3

"Well its official!

I have declared and filed my request for candidacy for Pocomoke City Council, District 3. I ask for prayer and your support on April 1, 2014; of course only residents of District 3 can vote, but I appreciate everyones support none the less. 

I am honored by the opportunity to serve!"

NEW SALES ASSOCIATE At Hall Realty

Former U.S. Soldier Who Sought to Join Terrorist Group Convicted

BALTIMORE, MD—U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz sentenced Craig Benedict Baxam, age 26, of Laurel, Maryland, to serve seven years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release, after Baxam pleaded guilty today to destroying records that might be used in a terrorism investigation.

The guilty plea and sentence were announced by United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; John P. Carlin, Acting Assistant Attorney General for National Security; and Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

“Craig Baxam traveled to Africa in order to join the terrorist organization al Shabaab,” said U.S. Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein. “Mr. Baxam was arrested in Kenya before he reached Somalia.”

“The investigation of Mr. Baxam was a collaborative effort with our law enforcement partners both within the United States and overseas,” said Special Agent in Charge Stephen E. Vogt. “The combined efforts of the Joint Terrorism Task Force and other agencies, including the Federal Air Marshal Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and the Maryland Transportation Authority Police, resulted in a successful prosecution which highlights the FBI’s highest investigative priority, the prevention of terrorist acts.”

According to his plea agreement, on December 23, 2011, Baxam was arrested in Kenya by members of the Kenyan Anti-Terrorism Police Unit as he traveled north to southern Somalia to join al Shabaab, a foreign terrorist organization. On December 27 and 30, 2011, FBI agents interviewed Baxam while he was in custody in Kenya. Baxam told the agents that because of his prior service in the U.S. Army, and specifically his training and experience in military intelligence, he knew of the U.S. government’s capabilities in tracing Internet protocol addresses and other investigative techniques. Consequently, before leaving the U.S., he destroyed his personal home computer and threw the remains in a dumpster. He told the agents that he did not want any record left behind and that he wanted to maintain a low profile. He also said that he purchased a round-trip plane ticket to Kenya rather than a one-way ticket, even though he had no intention of returning to the U.S., in order not to arouse the suspicion of the FBI and U.S. military.

READ MORE..

Successful Rocket Launch This Morning

NASA's Wallops Flight Facility

NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility supported the successful launch this morning of three Terrier-Orion suborbital rockets for the Department of Defense.

 The rockets were launched within a 20-second period that began at 4:09 a.m. EST.

 The next launches currently scheduled from Wallops are a NASA suborbital sounding rocket in late April and Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Antares rocket in May.

Craig, Haddaway on Maryland Health Connection hearings in General Assembly

For release: 01.14.14

Contact: Jim Pettit

301.704.1363

@jamesmpettit

 

 

Maryland Governor candidate David Craig's Lt. Governor running mate, and Del. Jeannie Haddaway, released the following statement today about health care point man and Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown's General Assembly committee testimony regarding the state's healthcare exchange, Maryland Health Connection.

 

 

"The hearing in Annapolis today confirms what we have been saying all along - trying to solve a bureaucratic nightmare with more bureaucracy doesn't work," said Haddaway.  

"This is another waste of taxpayers money and creates even more opportunity for people to fall through the  cracks because they can't get coverage or because they can't prove they tried to get coverage from the exchange.

"It is unbelievable to me that the State does not know how many people are affected. Why are they covering up the numbers and why are they covering up the fact that people can get coverage by simply going to a local insurance broker in their neighborhood?

"They are so afraid to admit the extent of the Exchange's problems that they are willing to choose politics over people yet again."

Accomack County Arson Suspect Tonya Bundick Changes Plea

Virginia Beach, Va. ( WTKR) – The second day of trial for Accomack arson defendant Tonya Bundick ended abruptly Tuesday when she entered an Alford plea.

An Alford Plea means that she does not admit guilt, but does admit that there is enough evidence to convict her.

Bundick was on trial for one count of arson and one count of conspiracy to commit arson for a fire that occurred on Airport Drive in Melfa on April 1, 2013.

Her co-defendant and one-time fiancee Charlie Smith plead guilty to 68 counts of arson and conspiracy to commit arson back in late October. He’s still awaiting sentencing.

She faces up to 20 years in prison and $5,000 fine when she’s sentenced.

“She understands the process, understands the procedure and what remains ahead of her,” commented defense attorney Chris Zaleski.

Prior to Bundick’s plea change, her defense attorneys questioned the testimony of Smith from Monday.

They repeatedly asked about his prior self-admitted drug use, his inability to perform sexually with Bundick for nearly 18 months and his prior felony convictions.

They also suggested the Smith was only taking the stand and testifying against Bundick in order to try and knock some time off his own sentence.

Bundick also testified in her own defense Tuesday, repeatedly insisting that she had no knowledge of the fires.

She also questioned Smith’s character, saying she had drug-tested him before allowing him to move-in with her, and even though he passed, she still thought he acted sporadically at times.

On the night they were arrested, Bundick told the jury that she and Smith had traveled to a Walmart store in Maryland to purchase birthday gifts for her two sons.

While there, she said they got into an argument over his desire to purchase a box of Steak-umm, and the bad feelings from that fight carried through the night.

Still, she insisted she had no idea that he was going to set a fire when she let him out of the van they were driving the night of April 1, 2013.

Ultimately though, at the conclusion of all testimony, Bundick decided not to put her fate in the hands of the jury and instead entered the Alford pleas.

She has also been indicted on 62 additional counts by a grand jury in December; however this week’s trial was only for the April 1st fire in Melfa.

WATCH VIDEO

Traffic Stop Leads To Arrest

Worcester County Sheriff's Office

On January 13, 2014 at approximately 8:17a.m. a Deputy with the Worcester County Sheriff's Office was in the area of U.S. Route 113 southbound and Shiloh Farms Road, in Berlin, Worcester County, Maryland, when they conducted a traffic stop on a white four door Cadillac bearing New York registration FJP7648, for a traffic violation.

The deputy conducted a passenger side approach to the vehicle, and made contact with the driver of the vehicle who was identified as Karen Guyton (DOB:01/24/1984), though her New York Driver’s License. While the deputy was at the passenger side window they could smell a strong odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle. Once another deputy was on scene a probable cause search of the vehicle was done.

During a search the deputies located a clear plastic bag with three individual baggies of marijuana, in a suitcase in the trunk. The right front seat passenger Troy Andre Michael Hazell (DOB: 04/13/1971), who was identified through his Virginia driver’s license, stated this particular suitcase was his and the marijuana inside of the suitcase was his.

Mr. Hazell was placed under arrest for possession of marijuana. Mr. Hazell was released pending a trial date.

Juliet Bickford WTKR News Anchor Resigns

I've been wondering where the WTKR news reporter had gone....

 Juliet Bickford

Former WTKR anchor caught up in international fraud

NORFOLK
They met on a beach in the Bahamas in 2006 and dated on and off for years. He, a suave Canadian with Greek roots. She, a bubbly blonde television news anchor.

By 2009, Theodoros “Terry” Grontis was sharing a Hampton home with Juliet Bickford. They quickly began spending lavishly – leasing expensive sports cars, buying fancy clothes and jewelry, and traveling often.

But federal authorities say the money was ill gotten. They say Grontis and two others bilked crime victims, divorcees and even one lottery winner out of more than $1 million.

Bickford’s bank account became key to laundering the money, according to court records.
When federal agents came calling in 2011, Grontis took off. The authorities believe he is in hiding in Greece.

The two accomplices, also Canadians, have admitted the crimes and will be sentenced Thursday in U.S. District Court here.

Bickford, 35, is scheduled to plead guilty to a related tax crime Wednesday morning. She has been cooperating with the authorities, court records indicate, and resigned from her job at WTKR last week.

READ MORE

COMMUNITY WATCH MEETINGS ~ Worcester County

Worcester County Sheriff's Office

Community Watch Meetings

 

1/17/2014 - 6:00 PM ~ Germantown Area (Berlin) at the Germantown Heritage Center on Trappe Road  (this Friday)

2/7/2014 - 6:00 PM ~ Stockton Area, Stockton Fire Department

2/12/2014 - 6:00 PM ~Girdletree Area, Girdletree Fire Department


 These meetings are informative and aimed at not only crime prevention but for making your neighborhood a better place to live and work.


 Hope to see you in attendance!

DENSE FOR FOR DELMARVA

Severe Weather Alert:

DENSE FOG ADVISORY

 THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED A DENSE FOG ADVISORY FOR ALL OF DELMARVA UNTIL 8 AM  WEDNESDAY

Accomack County Arson Trial / Tonya Bundick

 Tuesday PM/ Virginia  Beach
Just before closing arguments in her case, accused arsonist Tonya Bundick entered an Alford plea.

An Alford plea means she does not admit guilt however, admits that any evidence against her could convict her.

SAVE THE DATE ~ PHS Pink Out !

Pocomoke Pink Out

At  PHS

Friday, January 24, 2014

 

 Pocomoke High School Girls and Boys Varsity
 vs
Mardela High School

Games start at 4 pm

 

 

A few prize and raffle items

 

Raffles and prizes will be awarded throughout the night

 

All proceeds benefit:
~Women Supporting Women~

(local agency supporting those diagnosed with breast cancer)

 

 ~Canine Cancer Foundation~

( for our four legged friends fighting cancer)

 

 Come out and support the event !!

Terrier-Orion Suborbital Rocket Rescheduled

The launch January 14 from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility of three Terrier-Orion suborbital rockets for the Department of Defense was been postponed until January 15 due to rain approaching the launch area.

 The launch window will be 1 to 5 a.m. EST.

 The backup launch days are January 16 through 18. The rockets, which will be launched within a 20-second period, may be visible to residents in southern New Jersey and on the Delmarva Peninsula.
 At the request of DoD project managers, no real-time status updates will be available.

The launch will not be shown live on the Internet nor will launch status updates be provided on social media once the countdown begins.

The NASA Visitor Center at Wallops will not be open for viewing the launch.

REPTILE FESTIVAL 2014

Renoir Painting Returned to Baltimore Museum of Art

ALEXANDRIA, VA—United States District Court Judge Leonie M. Brinkema granted a motion for summary judgment in favor of the Baltimore Museum of Art in a civil case brought in connection with the theft and later sale of an 1879 unsigned oil painting on linen by Pierre-Auguste Renoir titled the “Paysage Bords de Seine.”

Dana J. Boente, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia, and Valerie Parlave, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Washington Field Office, made the announcement after the hearing today in front of U.S. District Judge Leonie M. Brinkema.

“The United States Attorney’s Office is pleased by the outcome of today’s decision, which we believe is amply supported by the evidence and the law,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Boente. “The court’s ruling today will ensure that the painting is returned to its rightful owner at the Baltimore Museum of Art.”

The case was filed in federal court as an interpleader action by the United States Attorney’s Office after the government learned that the Renoir painting, which originally had been stolen from the Baltimore Museum of Art in 1951, had been brought to a local auction company in Alexandria, Virginiam to offer for sale in 2012. The Federal Bureau of Investigation later served a seizure warrant to gain custody of the painting until the matter was resolved in court.

As part of the proceedings, the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) filed a summary judgment motion claiming that it was the rightful owner of the painting via a loan from a Baltimore heiress, Sadie A. May, and a subsequent bequest in May’s will. The BMA also presented evidence that the painting was stolen from the museum while on exhibit in November 1951, as reflected in a Baltimore police report filed at the time and documentation of an insurance payment received from the Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company.

As part of the suit, Lovettesville, Virginia resident Martha Fuqua claimed that she had purchased the painting at a flea market for $7.00 and was therefore a bona fide purchaser for value in possession of the property. The court ruled, however, that Fuqua’s alleged flea market purchase could not defeat the BMA’s title to the property as the true owner.

U.S. Attorney’s Office
January 10, 2014

Restaurant Night To Benefit the National MS Society, Maryland Chapter

Arson Trial Continues Today In Virginia Beach

Bundick

bw Wesley Edwards
Smith testifies in Bundick Trial

In Virginia Beach Circuit Court room number nine Tonya Bundick's trial began Monday.

Commonwealth's attorney Gary Agar explained in his opening statement to the jury that this case was about the burning of a structure in whole or part worth more than $200. He then explained that the conspiracy charge meant that there was an agreement with another and that he would present evidence to both facts including phone records from three cell phones belonging to the co defendant.

Smith

Mr. Allen Zaleski, Ms. Bundick's defense attorney, explained to the jury in his opening remarks that Tonya and Charles Smith lived together in Parksley for approximately 2 years, that Ms. Bundick had two young children ages 11 and 13. Mr. Smith, with 20-30 felony convictions before the arson charges, had been in jail between eight and eight and a half years. He quoted Mr. Smith saying that he could not stand the thought of her being out of prison and him being in prison and he presented letters to Ms. Bundick to that effect.

The first witness was Mr. Claude Henry of Virginia Beach who is the owner of the Melfa property burned on April 1, 2013. Mr. Henry for some length of time had been in the process of remodeling this building with new windows and a new roof. He's owned this property for about six years.

Witness number two was Mr. Willie Burke a Virginia state trooper of nine years who explained that he and one other trooper were on stakeout at site number six on the night of April 1, 2013, him working a portable radio furnished by Accomack County Sheriff's Department and the second officer working the night vision glasses, which were needed because they didn't start the stakeout until approximately 8 PM. Trooper Burke testified that on or about 11:30 on April 1 they observed a man jumping from a minivan at a dead run and running towards the dwelling at 19322 Airport Rd. in Melfa. Seeing the person, now identified as Mr. Smith, stuff a shop rag at the edge of the back door and striking it several times to start the fire. Upon completion of starting the fire Mr. Smith ran back to Airport Road again at a dead run and jumped into the minivan which had made a U-turn somewhere and was again headed towards route 13. Trooper Johnson with the night vision goggles was able to see clearly and his and officer Burke's job was to relay on the radio to the other officers and Deputies in the area what was going on. While chasing Mr. Smith from the house back towards Airport Road they observed him getting in the minivan which stopped at the red light at the Melfa intersection where a County Sheriff's car was directly behind the van at the light. On cross-examination trooper Burke confirmed that he did not see any cell phone calls or cell phones.

Trooper Johnson was the next witness who testified he was operating the night goggles from within a small two-man tent approximately 50 yards from the back door of the unoccupied home. Repeating most if not all of trooper Burkes testimony. He also testified that did not see any cell phones or see anyone make any cell phone call.

The next witness, Mr. Brandon Patterson, a Lieutenant in the Melfa fire Department, testified that the fire department at approximately 11:48 PM received the page which they responded to and arrived at the scene at 11:54 PM the extinguishing the remaining fire that the troopers had tried to put out with two extinguishers.

Sargeant Wayne Greer of the Accomack County Sheriff's Department testified that he arrived on the scene coming from Redwood Road which would have been a left turn onto Airport Road. Mr. Greer went on to say that he followed the van that the officers had described on the radio to the Melfa stoplight and that once it turned green and the Van turned left going north on Highway 13 he turned on his lights and siren making the stop approximately 200 yards northbound of the Melfa stoplight on the right-hand shoulder. When he got out of his car he observed that the passenger door was open and the person now known as Charles Smith was stepping out and immediately surrendered.

State police officer Martin Kriz was located at site seven, east of Highway 13 but on Highway 13 as a result of the radio calls, had stopped his vehicle and assisted Mr. Greer by arresting Ms. Bundick. Kriz transported Ms. Bundick to the Exmore Police Department after removing chop sticks from her bra.

Accomack County Sheriff Todd Godwin arrived at the stop along Highway 13 moments after the arrest was made and accompanied investigator Barnes to the interview in the Exmore Police Department which lasted approximately 4 hours. Godwin acknowledged he had known Mr. Smith for many years and was aware he had a record of drugs, bad checks, and larceny.

Mr. Avram Polinski, the custody of records person for Verizon, was the next witness explaining that from two Trac- phones there were three calls made, one of five second, the second one six seconds, and the third of 154 seconds.

Mr. Charles Smith, Bundick's accomplice, was then called to the stand. He testified that Ms. Bundick was his fiancée and that he still loved her and their family. He admitted to approximately 30 felonies including breaking and entering and burglary all of which he had pleaded guilty to years ago. He also admitted that he had pleaded guilty to 67 charges of arson and one charge of conspiracy he committed with Ms. Tonya Bundick the defendant in this case. When asked by Mr. Agar how this got started he replied on a bad night Ms. Bundick suggested they burn a vacant building and that at both the first and second fire she was the fire starter. He explained that she was almost caught and because he loved her he said to her "if we are going to do this I will start the fires so she would not be harmed." In addition to being almost caught, she was cut up in escaping from that scene. Smith testified that he believed that he set the balance of the fires while Ms. Bundick was the driver.

The case was continued until Tuesday January 14, at 9 AM.

Source:

Pocomoke Boat Docking Association ~ "Hi Tied Gala"

The Pocomoke Boat Docking Association cordially invites you to the Hi Tied Gala. This is a fundraiser for our 2nd Annual Boat Docking Challenge that will take place in August 2014.

   A Formal/semi-formal event will be held on

Saturday, February 15, 2014

Pocomoke Elks Lodge.

Doors open at 6:00 pm

 

Dinner at 7:00 pm.

 Live and silent auctions

 

Dance  to VA Beach's #1 dance band

 

"HOTCAKES"

  9:00 pm to 1:00 am

 

DINNER MENU

                                          PRIME RIB
                                           CHICKEN
                                   RED SKIN POTATOES
                                        GREEN BEANS
                                             SALAD
                                      ROLLS & DESSERT 

 

Event is over 21 only

 

 

Get your tickets today! Tickets are available for purchase at the following locations in Pocomoke:
- The Enchanted Florist
- Shore Bank
- Pocomoke Elks Lodge
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Accomack County Arson Trial Begins Monday in Va. Beach

The Virgnia - Pilot
ACCOMAC
Tonya S. Bundick is scheduled to go to trial Monday in Virginia Beach on two of the charges against her stemming from a string of arsons on the Eastern Shore.

At a hearing in Accomack County Circuit Court on Thursday, a judge denied her attorney’s request to limit evidence and background testimony to the one fire for which she’ll go to trial and exclude details on more than 70 arsons that were set in the county from November 2012 through last April.

A grand jury last month indicted Bundick, 40, on 62 additional arson counts, but a trial date has not been set for those.

Bundick and fiancé Charles R. Smith III, 38, were arrested when their minivan was stopped near a fire in Melfa.

From the woods, two state troopers had been conducting surveillance on a house when they saw a minivan stop in the road, the troopers testified last year. They said they watched a person run from the vehicle and set the building on fire.

On Thursday, Bundick’s attorney, Allan Zaleski, argued if officers take the stand, they shouldn’t be allowed to testify about why they were in the woods. The jury should be left in the dark on the broader scope of the case because, he argued, Bundick’s trial will only address her original two charges: arson and conspiracy to commit arson in connection with the Melfa fire.

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