Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 12, 1992 TAG: 9203120192
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MONICA DAVEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: BEDFORD LENGTH: Medium
After nearly 2 1/2 hours of deliberation, a jury sentenced 30-year-old Anthony Atkins to 25 years in prison. Circuit Judge William Sweeney will formally impose a sentence later.
Atkins could have received a life sentence.
Atkins did not testify during his two-day trial, but often cried and shook his head as Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Philip Baker laid out the case against him.
Atkins planned the arson, but had his wife set the fire one night last July, Baker told jurors. Lyle Rose Atkins already has pleaded guilty for her role in the fire.
"He was pulling the strings from behind the scene," Baker said. "The offense would not have been committed without his driving force."
Baker portrayed Atkins as a criminal so cold-hearted that he was willing to risk the lives of his wife, baby, neighbors and Bedford County firefighters for financial gain. He was the kind of person who let his children's toys and clothes burn up - but made sure to save his television, Baker said.
But defense attorney Grady Donaldson said Atkins should have been acquitted because his wife, alone, lit the match.
Donaldson asked for a lenient sentence and called on jurors to consider Atkins' medical condition. He has epilepsy.
"I know and the Lord do, too, I didn't tell her to do it," Atkins, choking back tears, told the judge after the jury returned its verdict.
The jury also set a six-month jail term and a $1,000 fine against Atkins for falsely reporting that his leased VCR had been stolen. Atkins had been behind on payments and a rent-to-own company was trying to repossess it when the Atkinses reported it stolen.
He could have faced 20 years in prison for that conviction.
Atkins was acquitted of a second count of fraud in connection with another lease-to-own VCR.
by CNB