Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 5, 1992 TAG: 9202050317
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-5 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CHESAPEAKE LENGTH: Short
VIDEO OF HOMICIDE VICTIM CLEARED FOR JURY VIEWING
A video recording showing a homicide victim wrapped in a suffocating mask of tape can be played before the jury in the capital murder trial of Andrew J. Chabrol, a judge has ruled.The recording shows a police evidence technician using surgical scissors to painstakingly cut through the tight mass of duct tape, revealing the face of the victim, Melissa M. Harrington.
Harrington, was abducted July 9 from in front of her home and was found dead a few hours later at Chabrol's home. Chabrol, 34, and a friend, Stanley J. Berkeley, 33, were charged with her slaying.
A medical examiner determined that Harrington died of strangulation and suffocation, caused in part by the tape over her face.
Circuit Judge Russell Townsend agreed that the video can be used as evidence at Chabrol's trial, which opens March 2.
William R. Brown, Chabrol's attorney, argued that the video is prejudicial and would not tell the jury anything not already in evidence.
But Commonwealth's Attorney David Williams said the video was the only way to show how tightly the duct tape was applied to the woman's head.
The video shows her nude, lifeless body lying on a blanket, a rope around her neck and rope marks visible on her wrists and ankles.
"The [video]tape is graphic," Townsend said. But he said a still photograph of the same scene would be admissible. "I don't know that it is any worse since it is a videotape."
Harrington, a Navy boatswain's mate, had filed a sexual harassment complaint against Chabrol, a former Navy officer, the year before she was killed. Chabrol had been Harrington's superior.
Chabrol and Berkeley face charges of capital murder, rape, abduction and robbery.