The Virginian-Pilot
©
CHESAPEAKE
The man who prosecuted one of the Washington-area snipers has been appointed to handle the case against Ryan Frederick, who is accused of killing a police detective.
Chesapeake Commonwealth's Attorney Nancy Parr said Thursday that she requested a special prosecutor because her office worked closely with Detective Jarrod Shivers. Parr sought an outside prosecutor to avoid any perceived appearance of conflict or bias by her office.
Paul Ebert, the commonwealth's attorney from Prince William County, was appointed. "I'll probably be the lead prosecutor, but I'll probably have someone assist me," Ebert said Thursday.
The Northern Virginia prosecutor has handled a number of high-profile cases - including the prosecution of D.C.-area sniper John Allen Muhammad, who was convicted and sentenced to death in 2004 after the trial was moved to Virginia Beach.
Frederick was scheduled to appear in court Monday to ask a judge to be released from jail on bond. That hearing could be delayed, Ebert said, because his staff may not be available to travel here.
Frederick, 28, has been held without bail since his arrest following the Jan. 17 shooting of Shivers, 34, a father of three.
Frederick is charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the shooting. While in jail this week, he was served with a new charge of first-offense possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor.
Shivers, an eight-year police veteran, was shot while executing a drug search warrant at Frederick's home in the 900 block of Redstart Ave. Police said Shivers was attempting to enter the suspect 's home when "shots were fired from inside the residence," striking the detective. Frederick has said he did not know it was police kicking in his front door and fired his .380-caliber handgun at what he thought was an intruder.
Police were at the home based on information from a confidential informant who told them Frederick was growing marijuana in a garage behind the home, according to a search warrant.
Ebert said he has scheduled an appointment with the lead detective in the case. He heard about the case while in Hampton Roads during weekend fishing trips.
Ebert, a prosecutor for 40 years in Prince William County, said he doesn't know whether the case will be moved out of Chesapeake.
"That always depends on the amount of publicity. Generally, it depends on what the defense's position will be," he said. "I doubt the commonwealth will ask for a change of venue, but the defense might."
In 2001, Ebert was a special prosecutor against former Chesapeake Mayor William Ward, who was charged with assault. The charge was dismissed after the mayor apologized and agreed to seek anger management counseling.
John Hopkins, (757) 222-5221, john.hopkins@pilotonline.com ecutor has handled a number of high-profile cases - including the prosecution of D.C.-area sniper John Allen Muhammad, who was convicted and sentenced to death in 2004 after the trial was moved to Virginia Beach.
Frederick was scheduled to appear in court Monday to ask a judge to be released from jail on bond. That hearing could be delayed, Ebert said, because his staff may not be available to travel here.
Frederick, 28, has been held without bail since his arrest following the Jan. 17 shooting of Shivers, 34, a father of three.
Frederick is charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in the shooting. While in jail this week, he was served with a new charge of first-offense possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor.
Shivers, an eight-year police veteran, was shot while executing a drug search warrant at Frederick's home in the 900 block of Redstart Ave. Police said Shivers was attempting to enter Frederick's home when "shots were fired from inside the residence," striking the detective. Frederick has said he did not know it was police kicking in his front door and fired his .380-caliber handgun at what he thought was an intruder.
Police were at the home based on information from a confidential informant who told them that Frederick was growing marijuana in a garage behind the home, according to a search warrant.
Ebert said he has scheduled an appointment with the lead detective in the case. He heard about the case while in Hampton Roads during weekend fishing trips.
"I don't know a lot about it," he said. "I think I did see it in the news, " he said.
Ebert, a prosecutor for 40 years in Prince William County, said he doesn't know whether the case will be moved out of Chesapeake.
"That always depends on the amount of publicity. Generally, it depends on what the defense's position will be," he said. "I doubt the Commonwealth will ask for a change of venue but the defense might."
In 2001, Ebert was a special prosecutor against former Chesapeake Mayor William Ward, who was charged with assault. The charge was dismissed after the mayor apologized and agreed to seek anger management counseling.
John Hopkins, (757) 222-5221, john.hopkins@pilotonline.com
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Why Doesn't The Commonwealth Want To Be Involved?
Interesting that the Commonwealth Attorney has refused to be involved. Does the commonwealth in Chesapeake not prosecute crimes such as assault on an officer, attempt murder of an officer? What types of cases committed against police are deemed not to be prosecuted by the Commonwealth Attorney because of their close relationship with the police? Does the Commonwealth Attorney feel they would be zealous in the prosecution since an officer was involved, or are they aware of something most may not be, or are they just not capable of prosecuting such a case? Just wondering if anyone has any answers to my questions.
Speaking of Relevance...
I was looking at the pics of the Suffolk bust. I mean, there was growing lights, trash bags of pot, humidifiers. The Suffolk house itself was overflowing with equipment used for a major growing operation. In Chesapeake "maybe" the huge stash is under the house, in a secret bunker or under the garage. "Maybe" he was working in the tunnel between the house and garage. These high level criminals have high technology to use against and foil highly trained police departments. "Maybe" the informant saw an underground stairway? A lot of speculation, and questions from a public that is just waiting to see pics and videos from the crime scene showing this "huge" grow operation. All in all, the Suffolk bust went quietly.
Relevance?
As a police officer I would hope that CareerCop would rely on facts and not promote speculation. Adding 'what ifs' to any situation can create doubt. I would say the Mr. Careercop had just displayed to all of us why so many people find fault with procedures used by law enforcement. You sir have abandoned justice. As you know, your statements hold no weight in court but can only work in your favor to sway public opinion. In addition, based upon your 'what ifs', we would all have to write down what we do throughout the day while expaling why we did what we did. We would then have to hope everyone else thought what we did was plausible or normal. Many of us mourn the loss of life, but I think just as many mourn the loss of our rights and protections under the law. Your comments are the tip of the iceberg.
Officer Killed in the Line of Duty
The tragic death of Det. Shivers is being made even more tragic by rumor mongers. Operating with limited information they are condeming a fine officer and fine police agency. The police dept, respecting the right of the subject to a fair trial, refuses to try the case in the media. Apparently no one understands probable cause or the dangers in police work. Probable cause is just enough information to cause a "reasonable" person to believe a crime has been committed. This isn't enough to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. According to what has been reported, the police were at the house to serve a search warrant for growing pot not just possession. The warrant was based on info from a reliable informant. Most info for drug cases is from people who have some knowledge of the offense and with some rare exceptions these people are not church deacons. Police must testify, under oath as to the reliability of the person before an independent magistrate to obtain the warrant. Sometimes nothing is found because between the time the officer gets the info, makes required checks for verification, writes the affidavid, goes before the magistrate, obtains the warrant, gets everyone
"And who in the hell is paying for this high profile attorney.."
"And who in the hell is paying for this high profile attorney, our tax dollars?"
Ummm . . . Absolutely yes. As the Commonwealth Attorney for Prince William County, Paul Ebert is already an employee of the state and therefore already being paid with our tax dollars.
Instead of working in Prince William County while this trial is going on - he'll be working in Chesapeake.
Its exactly like working out of a different office of the same company. That other office doesn't pay you another salary on top of your normal one just because you aren't working out of your home office!
The only additional money that it will cost to bring him to Chesapeake is transportation, hotel and perhaps a food allowance.
Minneapolis, December 17, 2007
This same scenario just happened in Minneapolis before Christmas. The SWAT team kicked down the door of an Asian man. He, thinking they were gang members intent on doing him harm, fired his shotgun through the door, striking the officers in their vests and helmets. The SWAT officers returned fire, but missed. The homeowner was briefly detained but later released. The next day, the Minneapolis police chief apologized to the family for the botched raid. Gee, a police chief with integrity. Too bad, Chesapeake can't claim the same. Instead, they call in the hanging DA. Anything to cover up their incompetence. One innocent police officer is dead because of higher up's incompetence so they seek to murder another innocent man to sweep everything under the rug.
Special Prosecutor
The appointment of a special prosecutor is so that an inhouse or staff attorney from within Chesapeake is not assigned to case. An attorney who by the way may have worked with Inv. Shivers and his fellow Narcotics investigators on multiple cases. The appointment is to remove any appearance of impropriety or to negate any claims that a Chesapeake prosecutor is attempting to curry favor with the department by aggressively prosecuting the suspect. Ponder this: why is it that Mr. Frederick while supposedly frightened to the point he put his gun closer to the bed than his telephone never apparently reported the earlier breakin to the authorities? Perhaps he had more to hide than he lost in the breakin? For whatever reason keep this in mind: Perhaps Mr. Frederick didn't know it was the police, instead he thought it was someone who knew of his activities(illegal?) and he feared that they would not exercise restraint and just hurt (shoot)him and take what they wanted. But hey let us just wait for all of the facts and than decide. Novel idea huh?
Email or Call the Mayor's Office
Mayor Dalton S. Edge
3113 Sherwood Drive
Chesapeake, VA 23322
Contact Numbers:
Home: (757) 421-9411
Fax: (757) 421-3176
Ph. Mail: (757) 382-6974
E-mail: dedge@cityofchesapeake.net
If you are really a CONCERNED CITIZEN MAKE A CALL
My wife actually worked with Ryan about 5 years ago at the Virginia Beach Hotel and Conference Center and has nothing but good things to say about this kid - I met him a few times when picking her up from work - This kid is one of the most descent young men I have EVER met. Met me with lots of Yes Sirs! and Yes Ma'amed my wife all of the time. He would always help out at work beyond what a normal employee would be asked to do. If any of you spent 5 minutes with this kid you would know what I am talking about. Ryan doesnt really have any family - I think he has a Aunt in the area that is by no means "well off". If you people really care about Ryan's future and the future of our local governments and justice can you please take a minute to make a phone call or send a fax telling the Chesapeake Commonwealth Attorney's Office EXACTLY what you feel? I have provided the information below: or please call or email the mayor of Chesapeake - we need to get the word out!!! Please help Ryan!!!
COMMONWEALTH'S ATTORNEY Nancy G. Parr
General District and Circuit Court Building
307 Albemarle Drive
Suite 200A
Chesapeake, VA 23322
Phone: (757) 382-3200
Fax: (757) 382-3227
May
A change of venue
Most people that i have talked to about this case, Mr Ebert probably wouldn't want on his jury..Wouldn't be surprised if the prosecution wants the change of venue here, no matter what they are saying now. The city brought a prosecutor from out of town, so why not host the trial elsewhere as well. Sounds like they are hoping the defense will ask for one, so they won't have to. Especially since it is being mentioned by the prosecutor first.