However, it wasn't until he went on a 10-week bender in 1987 that he was finally caught and convicted. "Whether or not Riley's actions justify the defendant's lethal force, there is no question that the confrontation happened with no notice and ended in a manner of seconds.". Winchester is an independent city located in the northern portion of the Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. The crime rate in Winchester is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 27 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. Crime risk data are updated annually. On Thursday morning, they received a tip on where they could possibly find Curran. Copyright 2020 WHSV. Under Virginia law, school officials are barred from checking on the educational progress of children who have a religious exemption, but they must pass standardized tests. 2023 Compare Crime Rates: Winchester, VA vs Kingsport, TN Change Cities : Winchester, VA: Kingsport, TN: United States Violent Crime: 20.7: 33.7: 22.7 Property Crime: 47.9: 69.8: 35.4: The Crime Indices range from 1 (low crime) to 100 (high crime). It you have information please contact the Frederick County Sheriff's Office at 540-662-6168. Josiah Schiavone, a member of the Virginia State Police, drives through downtown Winchester, Virginia. Mary pleaded guilty but got off on a technicality and fled to Colorado. An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. "This was a case where the defendant committed an extremely atrocious and cruel premeditated and deliberate attack on his family in their Winchester home. Valerie Smelsers body bore the scars of vicious beatings; she weighed just 51 pounds when she died. The victim and suspect were acquaintances and this was an isolated incident between those individuals. At approximately 1:32 a.m. Winchester Police Department (WPD) officers responded to the 1800 block of Henry Avenue for a fight. Click below for an overview of the accomplishments made and services provided over the previous years. WINCHESTER, Va. -- Authorities in Virginia have arrested three men wanted in connection with a double homicide in South Carolina. There was an error processing your request. Sarah Curran was reported missing and "possibly in danger,". But while, Dexter, Americas most beloved television psychopath, might createa more sympathetic view of serial killers, the fact remains, murders that occur repeatedly and with eerie patterns and similarities are absolutely terrifying. The NeighborhoodScout search engine is covered under US Patents No. The WPD information is included in the City of Winchester's annual report. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Contact Evan Goodenow at egoodenow@winchesterstar.com. Non-Emergency: (540) 662-4131 Therefore, jurors already knew Grimes was in jail before they saw him led to a cell. Low 36F. Winchester East Burnt Factory Opequon Frederick Heights / Shenandoah Hills Burning Knolls / Greenwood Heights Bartonsville Kernstown Winchester West Winchester, VA crime analytics Source & Methodology data description Winchester Crime Data Crime Index 22 (100 is safest) Safer than 22% of U.S. Cities Winchester Annual Crimes Violent Crime Valerie Smelser's body bore the scars of vicious beatings; she weighed just 51 pounds when she died. We appreciate your patience. The 2019 crime rate in Winchester, KY is 288 (City-Data.com crime index), which is comparable to the U.S. average. Neighbors said the house the family had lived in for about a year was filled with garbage and the yard was strewn with trash. A Winchester man accused of killing his wife, two young children and mother-in-law two years ago pleaded guilty Wednesday to four counts of first-degree murder.Thomas Mortimer's trial was expected to start next week, however, during a hearing in Middlesex Superior Court he changed his plea.The bodies of Laura Stone Mortimer, 41, Charlotte Mortimer, 2, Thomas Finn Mortimer V, 4, and Ragna Ellen Stone, 64, were found in June 2010 inside the Windsong Lane home after a concerned relative went to check on the family. Remaining cloudy. The case left Virginias network of social agencies scrambling to explain how abuse that social workers had long suspected was not confirmed. The Southside Strangler inspired several books, including "Stalking Justice: The Dramatic True Story of the Detective Who First Used DNA Testing to Catch a Serial Killer", by Paul Mones, Chapter 11 of John Douglas' 1996 memoir, "Journey into Darkness" and possibly Patricia Cornwell's bestselling novel "Postmortem", which showed considerable plot similarities to Spencers real-life crimes. Higher means more crime, U.S. average is 270.6. Jump to a detailed profile, search site with google or try advanced search. Finalized stats according to the FBI's Uniform Crime Report guides are compiled annual and provided with the City of Winchester's annual report. Located just south of the Appomattox River from Colonial Heights, Petersburg has a bigger problem with violent crime than its northern neighbor. While the Beltway Snipers, John Allen Muhammad and Lee Boyd Malvo, were finally convicted and sentenced in Virginia, their terror spread throughout the country. The release said that officials began interviewing and following up on leads surrounding various homeless camps. According to our research of Virginia and other state lists, there were 181 registered sex offenders living in Winchester, Virginia as of March 02, 2023. Violent Crime Comparison (per 1,000 residents), Property Crime Comparison (per 1,000 residents). Her lawyer, William Crane, wouldnt comment. Grimes is suspected of shooting at Riley in 2015 as part of a long-running feud between the two. . High 62F. Froma Harrop: I was a teenage librarian. Rain ending this morning. Like most serial killers, Spencer was clever and left little evidence or so he thought. It adjusts for the number of visitors and daily workers commuting into cities. As officers were approaching the scene, 911 calls were received advising a male had been shot. A few passing clouds, otherwise generally clear. Regardless of how Winchester does relative to all communities in America of all sizes, when NeighborhoodScout compared it to communities of similar population size, its crime rate per thousand residents stands out as higher than most. Non-Emergency: (540) 662-4131 OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Thomas Mortimer's trial was. "In this letter, to paraphrase some of his writings, he said, 'I did these horrible things. Family members also sought leniency in letters to Madden. There was a problem saving your notification. Cold cases listed are never forgotten by the sheriffs office. Prosecutors in 2018 said drugs were trafficked by associates connected to Mexico's Cartel. The male, identified as Nathaniel Jones, 37, of Winchester was pronounced deceased at the scene. Ambrogi said he agreed to a plea bargain because prosecutors were unable to charge Hoverter with capital murder _ a killing committed in the commission of another felony _ and seek the death penalty. A Winchester man was arrested following the investigation into a homicide that occurred on May 6, 2022. 1 of 2. 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And Occhuizzo noted Mann was notified by the prosecution during the trial about jurors seeing deputies escorting Grimes, but he didn't seek a mistrial or request jurors be instructed by Madden to disregard what they saw during deliberations. The City-Data.com crime index weighs serious crimes and violent crimes more heavily. City-data.com does not guarantee the accuracy or timeliness of any information on this site. In addition to second-degree murder, Smith, who was initially charged with . ``In her desperation she stole food, and he punished her by locking her in the basement, sometimes for days at a time, he said. Former bluegrass mecca may be deemed blighted, McDonald seeks to move trial in Front Royal-Warren County EDA case, Winchester-Frederick Visitors Bureau bringing more tourists than ever to the area, Area briefs: Handley's Fusco named Region 4C Player of the Year, New terminal project takes off at airport, City Council gives go-ahead to ZeroPak affordable apartments, Ward Plaza sale delayed but expected to be finalized, First traffic signals could be coming to small town of Boyce, Open Forum: Reacting to Cline's town hall. Crimes in Winchester City are split up into two most important categories, violent crime and property crime. Winchester, VA Crime Report 658 Total Crimes 2,326.8 Total Crimes / 100k People -0.82% Below National Average Winchester Full Crime Report Winchester, VA Cost Of Living 101 Winchester's Overall Cost Of Living 1.0x Higher Than The National Average Winchester Full Cost Of Living Report Winchester, VA Photos "Match Any Neighborhood" calculates the Match Level of one neighborhood to another using more than 200 characteristics of each neighborhood. "In this letter, to paraphrase some of his writings, he said, 'I did these horrible things. The wave of murders, known as the Golden Years Killings, included more than a dozen elderly women in total, some of which remain unsolved cases. Our crime rates are . Don't arrest me. Winchester, VA 22601 Phone: 540-667-3200 Email: citydesk@winchesterstar.com. ``It is inconceivable how anyone could do this to a child.. EGoodenow. Winds light and variable. Ms. Smelser stayed a step ahead of the authorities by moving often. During the hearing, Ambrogi told the court about the final weeks of Valeries life. "We are devastated at the loss of another human being. Occhuizzo also noted one of the prosecution's witnesses was an informant who shared a cell with Grimes. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. Ocey, who was married to her first cousin (and Marys son), Fletcher Snead, also left a significant life insurance policy behind. - Read Tuesday's Winchester Star for the full story. Homicide victim identified as missing Winchester woman, Dog found dead under suspicious circumstances, SCSO says, ACSO looking for suspicious man in the Weyers Cave area, Pilot identified in fatal plane crash near Hillsville, Impacts the end of the COVID public health emergency will have, FDA advisers give green light for RSV vaccine approval; why this is important for older adults, Eastern Mennonite boys basketball defeats Walsingham 69-56, advances to VISAA DIII semifinals, Charlie Obaugh RV & Outdoor Student Athlete of the Week. Her body was sent back to Christiansburg and buried in the Sunset Cemetery. Former bluegrass mecca may be deemed blighted, McDonald seeks to move trial in Front Royal-Warren County EDA case, Winchester-Frederick Visitors Bureau bringing more tourists than ever to the area, Area briefs: Handley's Fusco named Region 4C Player of the Year, New terminal project takes off at airport, City Council gives go-ahead to ZeroPak affordable apartments, Ward Plaza sale delayed but expected to be finalized, First traffic signals could be coming to small town of Boyce, Open Forum: Reacting to Cline's town hall. Officers were called to an apartment building at 40 1/2 North Main Street at. Hoverter entered an Alford plea, which means he acknowledged that prosecutors had enough evidence to convict him but didnt admit to the details. Updated annually. Grimes, a 30-year-old Hagerstown, Maryland, resident who was visiting family in Stephens City, had stopped at Five Guys for a milkshake. As a result, Jessie Nathaniel Simms, 32, of Winchester was charged with Second Degree Murder and transported to the Northwestern Regional Adult Detention Center where he was held without bond. Another 12 victims, 6 of whom died, were shot between February and September of the same year in Washington, Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Maryland and Georgia. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. It is the county seat of Frederick County, although the two are . On Aug. 11, jurors recommended a 30-year sentence for Grimes, who shot an unarmed Kevin Michael Riley in a restaurant parking lot on Oct. 28 of last year. It was higher than in 82.9% U.S. cities. The plea doesnt affect the length of his sentence. Review these Police Department reports to learn about law enforcement statistics, calls for service, and crime in Winchester. Rain ending this morning. Chance of rain 90%.. Mostly cloudy skies. ``Mr. Hoverters contention would be that the prime mover, the aggressor in this case, was the mother, and that he was the bystander, said J. Michael Solak, Hoverters court-appointed lawyer. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Winchester City Sheriff's Office Lenny Millholland, Sheriff 107 N. Kent St., Winchester, VA 22601 Phone: (540) 665-5600 Winchester City Criminal Records The monument shown here, located in Wheaton, MD, honors the victims. Timbrook Public Safety Center Although he was not the triggerman, Malvo, who was only 17 at the time of the killing spree, remains in Wise County at the Red Onion State Prison where he is serving multiple life sentences as an accomplice to Muhammads sadistic killings. HARDY COUNTY, W. Va. (WHSV) - Moorefield Police are investigating an apparent murder-suicide involving a mother and her two children. Hoverter kicked Valerie down the basement stairs, slammed her head through the drywall near the basement door and put his own fist through the wall as well, he said. Methodology: Discover your neighborhood's best match, anywhere. appear. Crime-Solvers: (540) 665-TIPS, STREET ADDRESS There was an error processing your request. Thomas Mortimer's trial was expected to start next week, however, during a hearing in Middlesex Superior Court he changed his plea. Call (540) 665-TIPS to leave anonymous crime information. Officials discovered Currans body at a homeless campsite behind 706 Baker Lane in Frederick County. However, it wasnt until he went on a 10-week bender in 1987 that he was finally caught and convicted. 18,000 local law enforcement agencies in the U.S. Other 02/14/2023 11:59 PM 1200 BLOCK OF BERRYVILLE AVE Other 02/14/2023 11:12 PM 2900 BLOCK OF SORRELL CT Other 02/14/2023 11:12 PM 200 BLOCK OF E PICCADILLY ST Other 02/14/2023 9:23 PM 2300 BLOCK OF VALLEY AVE Other 02/14/2023 8:51 PM 100 BLOCK . WINCHESTER, Va. (WHSV) A Winchester woman who was reported missing on July 22 has been found dead in Frederick County. Grimes is scheduled to be sentenced in Winchester Circuit Court on Tuesday. Timothy Spencer, better remembered as the Southside Strangler, began his killing spree as early as 1984. 231 E. Piccadilly St., Suite 310 DNA also exonerated David Vasquez, who had been convicted of the 1984 murder in Arlington, a crime later attributed to Spencer. Was strewn with trash s Cartel crimes in Winchester, Va. ( WHSV ) Moorefield... 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