Amy Ashworth Archives - Page 3 of 4

Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney threatens to withhold prosecution amid funding dispute

Published April 22, 2024 at 5:07PM

Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney Amy Ashworth (Photo: Mike Beaty)

In a letter addressed to the Chair and the Supervisors of Prince William County, Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth outlined her intention to withhold prosecution of certain misdemeanor charges, effective May 1, 2024, if county leaders don’t give her more employees.

According to the letter, the Prince William County Prosecutor’s Office is operating with 26 fewer positions than required. A recent time study showed the office has a deficit of seven attorneys and 19 administrative staff, Ashworth wrote.

Prince William

CA rules fatal police shooting at NECA training center justified after stabbing attack

By Uriah Kiser

Published April 1, 2024 at 9:50AM

Prince William County Commonwealth Attorney Amy Ashworth ruled a fatal police shooting at a union worker training center justified.

An independent criminal investigation into the shooting and the moments that led up to shots fired on Feb. 13, 2024, an alteration began in a classroom inside the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA). In this apprenticeship training center, several students had assembled for a class.

Prince William

Woodbridge shooter found guilty of second-degree murder

By Potomac Local News

Published March 14, 2024 at 4:08PM

McGriff

The Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Amy Ashworth, has announced the successful prosecution of Isaiah McGriff in connection with the July 2022 murder of a woman in Woodbridge. On March 12, 2024, a Prince William County jury found McGriff guilty of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The case, Commonwealth of Virginia v. Isaiah McGriff, was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Commonwealth Attorneys Kathleen Bilton and Dircia Schubert.

On July 1, 2022, police responded to a shooting at 13990 Jefferson Davis Hwy (Longview 7-Eleven) in Prince William County, where they discovered the victim, Claudia Morataya, deceased from an apparent gunshot wound to the abdomen. An investigation revealed that Isaiah McGriff, the defendant, was present outside the 7-Eleven that night, along with the victim and others, drinking and socializing before the shooting occurred. A verbal dispute ensued between the victim and the defendant, culminating in the victim throwing a beer bottle at McGriff. McGriff was heard making threatening remarks before later shooting the victim in nearby woods, a press release notes.

Prince William

Judge drops rape charge against man accused of assaulting girl, 10

By Potomac Local News

Published March 13, 2024 at 11:20AM

The Judicial Center for Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

A Prince William County judge dropped a rape charge against a man accused of raping a 10-year-old girl in Dale City.

Prince William County Circuit Court Judge Carroll A. Weimer Jr. dropped the charge on March 6. The suspect, 40-year-old Bernabe Garcia of Woodbridge, was set to appear for a jury trial on the rape charge from March 18 to 21, 2024.

News

Questions loom as court’s handling of DWI case raises concerns following fatal pedestrian crash in Downtown Manassas

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 16, 2024 at 4:02PM | Updated February 18, 2024 at 7:40AM

The arrest of Jose Rafael Lizama, a 47-year-old resident of Manassas Park, has stirred concerns following the death of Justin Burns on December 2, 2023.

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Triangle shooter convicted, awaits sentencing

By Uriah Kiser

Published February 12, 2024 at 11:00AM

The Judicial Center for Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney, Amy Ashworth, announced the successful prosecution of Sean Hughes following an April 19, 2023, shooting incident in Triangle. After a trial held on February 2, 2024, a Prince William County jury rendered a verdict of guilty against Hughes on multiple charges, including shooting into an occupied dwelling, shooting from a vehicle, attempted malicious wounding, use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, gang participation, gang recruitment, and use of a machine gun for an aggressive purpose.

The case stemmed from an alarming incident last year when Hughes, accompanied by a juvenile co-defendant, unleashed gunfire at a home in Triangle. The barrage of bullets struck a woman inside multiple times, narrowly missing Detective S. Davis and another bystander who were present at the scene. Following the shooting, Hughes and the juvenile fled the area, but police arrested him in Maryland. During the arrest, one of the firearms implicated in the shooting was recovered from the suspects.

Prince William

State wins conviction in 2018 Haymarket death case

By Uriah Kiser

Published December 15, 2023 at 9:22AM

The Judicial Center for Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

Prince William County Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney: “Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth announces the successful prosecution of Jacob Belotti arising from the February 2018 death of Dustin Lueker in Haymarket, Virginia. Mr. Belotti pled not guilty to three charges and after a three-day jury trial, was convicted of Felony Murder and Distribution of a Schedule I/II Controlled Substance.”

“On the afternoon of Sunday, February 25, 2018, Prince William County Fire and Rescue and Police responded to Youngs Drive in Haymarket for a 911 call regarding an unresponsive individual. Dustin Lueker was found dead on the living room floor of Mr. Belotti’s residence. Mr. Belotti claimed the two had consumed alcohol and gone to bed the day before and that when he awoke, his friend was dead. One eyewitness later came forward to challenge Mr. Belotti’s version of events and eventually police determined that multiple individuals had partied with Belotti and Lueker, initially at Mr. Lueker’s apartment and then at Mr. Belotti’s house.”

Prince William

Banze pled guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter after killing man, dog

By Uriah Kiser

Published November 30, 2023 at 2:50PM

The Judicial Center for Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth: “The commonwealth attorney’s office announces the successful prosecution of Gentil Mwenze Banze arising from the June 18, 2022, accident that killed a Lake Ridge man and his dog. On July 6, 2023, Gentil Mwenze Banze pled guilty to Involuntary Manslaughter while Driving Under the Influence. The case was heard by Judge James A. Willett of the Prince William County Circuit Court.”

“On November 16, 2023, Mr. Banze was sentenced by Judge Willett to 10 years in prison, the maximum term allowable under the law, and three years of active probation following his release from prison. The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Sarah Sami.”

Prince William

Man, 25, slays 2 women, gets life sentence

By Uriah Kiser

Published October 18, 2023 at 2:29PM

The Judicial Center for Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

The Office of the Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney: “On October 16, 2023, the Honorable Judge Kimberly A. Irving, Chief Judge of the Prince William County Circuit Court, found Desmond Daniel guilty of two counts of first-degree murder following his guilty plea to the charges. The Defendant will be sentenced on March 14, 2024. Members of the victims’ families will present victim impact testimony at that time. The Defendant faces a maximum sentence of two life terms in prison.”

“On November 16, 2022, Prince William County Police responded to Isle Royale Terrace, in [near Dumfries] after neighbors reported hearing multiple gunshots. Police arrived at the scene to find two gunshot victims in the basement of the home. One victim, a 22-year-old Woodbridge woman, was pronounced dead at the scene. The other, a 24-year-old Woodbridge man, was taken to an area hospital where he was later pronounced dead. A family dog was also located in the basement suffering from gunshot wounds and had to be euthanized.

Prince William

Man gets life in prison after beating Dumfries woman

By Amelia Breeden

Published September 25, 2023 at 10:33AM

The Judicial Center for Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.

Press Release: “Prince William County Commonwealth’s Attorney Amy Ashworth announces the successful prosecution of Cody Dale Davis arising from the February 2, 2021, aggravated malicious wounding of a Dumfries woman.”

“On April 7, 2023, after a three-day trial jury trial and subsequent 10-minute jury deliberation, Mr. Davis was convicted of one count of aggravated malicious wounding. On September 21, 2023, Mr. Davis was sentenced by Judge Willett of the Prince William County Circuit Court to life in prison. The matter was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Dircia D. Schubert and Deputy Chief of Staff Kevin L. Leahy.”