Walking it back
The University of Virginia is withholding the independent report on the November 13, 2022, shooting on Grounds, citing potential impacts on the criminal trial of accused shooter Christopher Jones.
“Making the report public at this time, or even releasing a summary of their findings and recommendations, could have an impact on the criminal trial of the accused, either by disrupting the case being prepared by the Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney, or by interfering with the defendant’s right to a fair trial before an impartial jury,” said UVA President Jim Ryan in a November 17 press release.
While the public release of the report has been delayed until the conclusion of criminal proceedings, Ryan has committed to its eventual publication, acknowledging the importance of the report for community healing. “We recognize that many people, including the families of those who were killed or injured that night, are awaiting more information as they continue to grieve and recover from the incalculable loss they experienced,” he said. “We are committed to providing it as soon as we can be sure that doing so will not interfere in any way with the criminal proceeding.”
It is currently unclear if UVA, which initially indicated it would release the findings in early November, is planning to hold the report until the end of Jones’ trial, or if the university is defining the end of criminal proceedings with a different legal benchmark. Jones’ next court appearance is scheduled for February 5, 2024.
Breaking the bank
The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors voted to approve interim financing for renovations to the Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail, even though 27 local organizations signed a letter of opposition.
Those that opposed funding the project—including the People’s Coalition Jail Committee and Legal Aid Justice Center—said in a November 14 release that “We demand our taxpayer dollars be invested in resources that create safety and prevent imprisonment and recidivism. This means investments in affordable housing, diversion programs, reentry programs, mental health services, and youth recreation programs. They also said funds should go toward “resourcing reentry programs that support our community members in successful reintegration.”
According to the proposal by Moseley Architects, the jail’s renovations will cost $49 million initially, with interest taking the total up to more than $72 million. Beyond cost, the groups that oppose it are concerned about the lack of transparency from project leaders, limited level of community input, and the extensive funding going to the punitive system rather than preventive resources.
In brief
Good fight
State Sen. John McGuire has announced that he will challenge U.S. Rep. Bob Good in next year’s Republican primary. In a Facebook post, McGuire accused Good—who represents Virginia’s 5th Congressional District—of abandoning former president Donald Trump by endorsing Florida governor Ron DeSantis for the 2024 general election. The senator’s break from his campaign promise to not challenge Good has sparked statements of condemnation from Virginia Republicans. McGuire won his state senate seat after running unopposed in this month’s election, and has been a member of the House of Delegates since 2018.
Rake-a-thon
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Charlottesville held its 10th annual Rake-a-thon fundraising event on Saturday, November 18. More than 400 volunteers pledged to participate by raking over 80 lawns to raise money for affordable housing. Donations support projects throughout the city, including the mobile home park redevelopment project at Southwood.
Filling in
In a letter to President Joe Biden, Virginia Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine recommended Patice Holland and Jasmine Yoon to fill an upcoming vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia. Holland is a principal attorney and chair of the diversity, equity, and inclusion task force at Wood Rogers Vandeventer Black PLC in Roanoke, and a substitute judge in the 23rd Judicial Circuit of Virginia. Yoon is the vice president for corporate integrity, ethics, and investigations at Capital One Financial Corporation.