Judge considers moving Ames trial
Renovations to courthouse could affect trial
By C. Ruth Ebrahim, Staff Writer

He set a trial date, but the judge in the capital murder case against John F. Ames did not decide where the case will be heard.

During the hearing of pre-trial motions on Tuesday, Jan. 26, Judge Paul F. Sheridan got a glimpse into what else he will be considering over the next several months.

The defense presented witnesses in an effort to back up their argument to take the trial out of Caroline, discussed several motions that had been filed in Caroline Circuit Court and addressed concerns over trial date scheduling.

Among other hurdles between today and the September trial date, the court must also consider how repairs being done to court buildings may affect scheduling.

There are renovations that may or may not affect the availability of courtrooms, said Sheridan, who retired from Arlington County courts.

The judge, who was chosen to hear the case after Judge Horace A.Revercomb recused himself, first heard from three witnesses presented by the defense.

Through the witnesses, attorney Craig S. Cooley began to build a record backing up his motion for a change of venue.

He subpoenaed representatives of three area newspapers to testify as to circulation numbersthat is how many Caroline County homes each newspaper reaches.

Prior to hearing Cooleys witnesses, Judge Sheridan discussed the scheduling of Ames trial.

Ames, 59, is charged with First Degree Murder and the Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony related to the death of his long-time neighbor and foe Oliver Perry Brooks.

He was first arrested in April, hours after police found Brooks, 74, dead on the 675-acre Holly Hill Farm outside of Bowling Green.

At the recent hearing, the judge explained that the court does not have to decide on change of venue before the court sets a trial date.

We are a long way from the finding the court must come to, Sheridan said. The court couldnt possibly make that finding today.

When jury selection begins, the court will call in at least 80 potential jurors to choose from, Sheridan continued, and the process will then be decided as to how many jurors are questioned at a time.

The defense attorney said he will continue to add to his argument for change of venue. He said further media coverage and sworn affidavits and testimony as to community attitude toward Ames and the trial will become part of court record.

However, Cooley indicated that he will continue to focus primarily on coverage of the trial by area newspapers, particularly The Caroline Progress, The Free Lance-Star and The Richmond Times Dispatch.

Rather than referencing coverage the trial has received on television and the Internet, Cooley said the defense team is interested in the more in-depth coverage that the area newspapers have provided.

When you see TV coverage, you see sound bites, Cooley said. It rarely has the kind of content that one would suggest would prejudice the jury.

Following the hearing, the court contacted the Department of Public Works to discuss the hurdle that courthouse renovations could have on scheduling Ames court date.

Director Allen Ramsay said his department had addressed the concern by the end of the day.

He said the old General District Court room will be available for the trial, since the current historical Circuit Court room will be under renovation by that time.

Well have to put chairs in and tables for them to use that facility, he explained.

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