Virginia

Republicans blast Virginia Democrats for crime approach ahead of 2023 primary

Published

1 year ago

June 18, 2023

Republicans blast Virginia Democrats for crime approach ahead of 2023 primary

As Virginia’s 2023 primary approaches, Republicans are drawing attention to the state’s rising crime rates, blaming the increase on Democrats’ lack of legislative measures that would strengthen punishments and alleviate police reform restrictions.

The Virginia State Police released its annual crime report for 2022 last week, showing a 4.9% increase in crime statewide for the number of violent crimes from 2021. Violent crimes include murder, sex offenses, robbery, and aggravated assault.

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Vehicle thefts increased significantly by nearly 22%, following a nationwide trend of spikes in motor vehicle theft and property damage — but a decrease in violent crime — that began in 2022 in the aftermath of the pandemic and continued into 2023.

In Virginia, the value of all the vehicles stolen was over $201 million, per the report.

The state police’s report recorded 621 homicides in 2022, which was a 10.5% increase from the 562 homicides reported in 2021. Offenders and victims tended to be younger men ages 18 to 34, with men in that range making up 42.7% of homicide victims and 52.2% of offenders.

When it came to murder and non-negligent manslaughter, most homicides were committed using a firearm. Six homicides were recorded as a result of poison or drugs.

Republicans are using the crime report to blast Democrats ahead of the 2023 election, when Democrats are protecting a thin majority in the Senate, and Republicans are defending their narrow majority in the House.

Virginia’s split General Assembly has made it difficult for Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R-VA) to enact his conservative agenda, particularly when it comes to introducing tough-on-crime legislation. In January, state Senate Democrats blocked a bill backed by Youngkin that would have made adjustments to charging drug dealers.

Under the now-failed bill, drug dealers would have been charged with felony homicide charges — essentially second-degree murder — if a user died of a drug overdose. The bill died in committee along party lines. The House of Delegates passed its companion bill, but every Democrat voted against the bill, with the exception of two Democratic delegates who were absent.

The Republican State Leadership Committee said in a press release following the crime report’s release that the increase in crime “sheds light on Democrats’ failed policies.”

“The fact that Virginia Democrats say they want to make our communities safer is not only ironic, but it’s a complete fabrication of the truth. If Democrats really wanted to make our Virginia communities safer, then they wouldn’t have voted down legislation to strengthen penalties on drug dealers, or prevent police officers from doing their jobs effectively,” RSLC deputy communications director Mason Di Palma told the Washington Examiner. “Meanwhile, Virginia Republicans are the only ones focused on reducing crime and the crime crisis caused by Joe Biden and national Democrats.”

The Republican State Leadership Committee launched a five-figure digital ad campaign in February against seven Democratic incumbents who are on Tuesday’s ballot: state Dels. Rodney Willett, Nadarius Clark, Clinton Jenkins, Schuyler VanValkenburg, and Danica Roem, as well as state Sens. Aaron Rouse and Monty Mason.

Republicans have also pointed to the bill passed in 2020 by the Virginia General Assembly that included more than a dozen police reforms, including measures banning chokeholds, limiting no-knock warrants, and creating stricter criteria to qualify for the need to use force. Democrats plugged the policy changes as a step in the right direction to making communities safer.

GOP lawmakers have attempted to appeal several, but not all, of the reforms during the 2023 session. In January, the Republican-led House voted in favor of removing provisions that prevented pulling people over for some minor traffic offenses. It was referred to the Democrat-controlled state Senate Judiciary Committee in February but has not gained traction since then.

“The most frustrating aspect is the fact that, you know, they’re passing these bills [in the House], and they’re just not even committee hearings in a lot of these cases. They’re getting shot down immediately. Because Democrats are playing politics here,” Di Palma said.

“You have one chamber saying, ‘You know, we’re not going to do this because we don’t want to give these people a win,’” he continued. “You can’t come out and say that you want to make communities safer and then just blatantly play politics.”

The Virginia primary election is on Tuesday, with every seat in the General Assembly up for election this fall. A historic level of turnover, about 30%, is expected due to the new political maps that placed about half of the state’s 140 lawmakers doubled or tripled up in new districts, according to the New York Times.

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Many delegates are running for Senate to avoid battling their House colleagues in the primary, with some even challenging members of their own party. In Northern Virginia, state Sen. George Barker is facing his first primary challenger, Democratic Fairfax County School Board member Stella Pekarsky, in more than a decade.

The Washington Examiner reached out to the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee and Virginia Democrats for comment.

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Virginia

Virginia woman charged in alleged murder-for-hire plot

Published

27 mins ago

November 29, 2024

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Virginia woman charged in alleged murder-for-hire plot

A Virginia woman has been arrested and charged in connection with a murder-for-hire plot, according to the Henry County Sheriff’s office.

Gennevieve McGhee, 44, was allegedly captured via audio and video evidence in the meticulous planning of a murder for hire, the sheriff’s office said.

McGhee is accused of meeting with a confidential source at her residence in Ridgeway, Virginia. The source was acting under law enforcement direction and utilizing a recording device to capture evidence.

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Henry County Sheriff’s Office charged Gennevieve McGhee, 44, with criminal solicitation of murder following an investigation that revealed her alleged involvement in planning a murder for hire. (Henry County Sheriff’s Office)

She allegedly discussed detailed instructions on payment arrangements and instructions for carrying out a robbery and murder.

McGhee is charged with criminal solicitation of murder and conspiracy to commit a felony.

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Gennevieve McGhee, 44, is charged with criminal solicitation of murder and conspiracy to commit a felony. (iStock)

McGhee was taken into custody by deputies from the Henry County Sheriff’s Office on Wednesday and is being held at the Henry County Adult Detention Center with no bond.

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The case remains under review by the Henry County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office.

Additional information on the case is not available at this time, officials said.

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Virginia

How to Watch & Listen to West Virginia vs. No. 24 Arizona

Published

8 hours ago

November 29, 2024

Press Room

How to Watch & Listen to West Virginia vs. No. 24 Arizona

The West Virginia Mountaineers (4-2) will meet the No. 24 Arizona Wildcats in the third place game of the Battle 4 Atlantis midseason tournament for the sixth meeting between the two programs.

West Virginia vs. Arizona Series History

Arizona leads 2-3

Last Meeting: March 28, 2008 (NCAA Tournament) WVU 75-65

When: Friday, November 29

Location: Paradise Island, Bahamas, Imperial Arena (3,900)

Tip-off: 3:00 p.m. EST

Stream: ESPN2

Announcers: Beth Mowins and Debbie Antonelli

Radio: Tony Caridi (PBP), Brad Howe (analyst) Mountaineer Sports Network from Learfield IMG College(Radio affiliates)

WVU Game Notes

– West Virginia was scheduled to play in the 2020 Battle 4 Atlantis. The tournament was moved to Sioux Falls, S.D., due to COVID, and the Mountaineers won the renamed Bad Boy Mowers Crossover Classic.

– WVU is 45-16 in in-season tournaments since 2007.

– With a win over No. 3 Gonzaga, WVU defeated a Top 5 AP team for the second consecutive season. Last season, the Mountaineers downed No. 3 Kansas in Morgantown, 91-85.

– Prior to the overtime win over No. 3 Gonzaga, WVU had lost six straight overtime games.

– This is WVU’s fourth trip outside the United States and Puerto Rico to play a regular season game. WVU played in Cancun in 2013 and 2019 and opened the season in Germany in the 2017 Armed Forces Classic.

– West Virginia is the only team in the country that has two players on the same team who averaged more than 20 points per game from last season — Tucker DeVries (21.6 ppg) and Jayden Stone (20.8 ppg)

– West Virginia is 201-55 against nonconference teams in regular season games in the last 21 seasons.

– The Mountaineers have posted a winning nonconference record in 31 of the last 32 seasons.

– WVU is 265-99 in its last 362 games against unranked teams, including winners of 148 of its last 180 at the WVU Coliseum.

– This is the 116th season and 122nd year overall for WVU basketball, which began in 1903.

– Darian DeVries, who led Drake to six consecutive 20-win seasons and has a career .731 winning percentage as a head coach, was named the 23rd head men’s basketball coach at West Virginia University on March 24, 2024.

– DeVries has a record of 154-57 (.731) in seven seasons as a head coach, including a 59-16 (.787) mark in the last two-plus seasons.

– This past August, the men’s basketball team went to Italy for a 10-day tour and won all three of its games against international competition.

– West Virginia returns just 2.8 percent of its scoring from last season’s team (Ofri Naveh).

– The Mountaineers are led by a pair of transfers in Tucker DeVries (Drake) and Javon Small (Oklahoma State). Last season, DeVries was named an Associated Press All-American Honorable Mention selection, while Small earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors.

– In addition, Eduardo Andre (Fresno State), Joseph Yesufu (Washington State), Sencire Harris (Illinois), Amani Hansberry (Illinois) and Jayden Stone (Detroit Mercy) will all see considerable action this season.

– Tucker DeVries was named to the 20-member Julius Erving Preseason Watch List, giving annually to the nation’s top small forward.

– Tucker DeVries was named to the preseason Naismith Trophy Men’s College Player of the Year Watch List.

– Tucker DeVries was named to the John R. Wooden Award Top 50 Preseason Watch List.

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NBA Draft: West Virginia Duo Produce Big Numbers in Upset Over No. 3 Gonzaga

Published

16 hours ago

November 28, 2024

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NBA Draft: West Virginia Duo Produce Big Numbers in Upset Over No. 3 Gonzaga

West Virginia got off to a hot start at the Bad Boy Mowers Battle 4 Atlantis by knocking off undefeated Gonzaga 86-78 in overtime in their first-round matchup. The Mountaineers have received strong performances to begin the season from two upperclassman transfers: Javon Small and Tucker DeVries.

With each player delivering standout performances, it’s time to start considering them seriously as draft prospects.

Let’s take a closer look at their outings in this big win and dive into their seasons as a whole up to this point.

Tucker DeVries had a big game for West Virginia

Nov 27, 2024; Paradise Island, Bahamas, BHS; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Tucker DeVries (12) drives to the basket as Gonzaga Bulldogs guard Michael Ajayi (1) defends during the first half at the Atlantis Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Tucker DeVries finished this game with a stuffed stat line of 16 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and four blocks. This level of versatility clearly illustrates the type of player he is, as he looked solid in nearly every aspect of the game. He has good positional size at 6-foot-7 and plays with a very high IQ on both ends of the floor. His defensive impact was especially noticeable, as he consistently made impactful plays, including a steal that led to free throws to tie the game at the end of regulation. DeVries finished the second half on a 5-0 run, which gave West Virginia momentum to capture the game in overtime.

DeVries has had a solid all-around season leading up to this performance, averaging 13.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, two assists, 2.5 steals and 1.3 blocks, with shooting splits of 36.6%/40.7%/81.3%. If he were to be drafted following this season, it would likely be in the second round, but his versatile play style is very promising.

Javon Small has impressed for West Virginia

Nov 27, 2024; Paradise Island, Bahamas, BHS; West Virginia Mountaineers guard Javon Small (7) shoots during the first half against the Gonzaga Bulldogs at the Atlantis Resort. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Javon Small led the Mountaineers in scoring during this upset victory, contributing 31 points on impressive shooting splits of 50%/40%/81.8%. In addition to his scoring, he also grabbed seven rebounds, dished out two assists and added one steal and one block. Small is a quick and slippery guard who stayed in attack mode throughout the game, translating well into fast-break opportunities. Rarely staying in one spot on offense, Small kept the floor spaced and forced his defender to fight through traffic to keep up with him. His offensive approach was patient as he waited for his defender to get off balance before attacking.

Before this game, Small had averaged 15.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, four assists and three steals. He leads the Mountaineers in points, assists, and steals, while providing a noticeable spark on a nightly basis. Small is now at his third school in four years, with similar statistics in each of his previous two seasons. As an older guard, it is not guaranteed that he will be drafted, but if this level of productivity continues throughout the season, he may receive an opportunity to prove himself at the next level.

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