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Lawyers ask judge to dismiss charges against Virginia state senator

PORTSMOUTH, Va. — Attorneys for a Virginia state senator have asked a judge to dismiss charges that allege that she conspired to damage a Confederate monument.

The Virginian-Pilot reported Thursday that the lawyers for Sen. Louise Lucas argue that the case stems from “an illegal and unsanctioned police action.”

Attorneys Don Scott and Verbena Askew argue that a criminal investigation of an elected official must be requested by the governor, the attorney general or a grand jury.

The attorneys said that police in Portsmouth failed to make such a request.

The charges stem from a June protest that drew hundreds of people to a Confederate monument. It was heavily damaged.

Judge clears way for Catherine Hoggle’s insanity plea

A Montgomery County judge cleared the way Thursday for Catherine Hoggle, the mother charged with murdering her two young children 12 years ago, to enter a plea of not criminally responsible, Maryland’s equivalent of an insanity plea. Circuit Court Judge James Bonifant heard about an hour of arguments from both sides in the case, during which Hoggle's defense brought up five issues connected to discovery evidence, including the initial video interview of Hoggle when she was arrested. Related stories Catherine Hoggle’s lawyers want more details from Montgomery Co. prosecutors
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