The Virginian-Pilot
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, February 25, 1996              TAG: 9602270470
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B1   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY LYNN WALTZ, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH                         LENGTH: Long  :  113 lines

HIGHER BAILS AIM TO CURB PORTSMOUTH'S VIOLENT CRIMES THERE'S LITTLE CHANCE OF POSTING BOND FOR 9 MURDER SUSPECTS.

In the wake of criticism by federal authorities that low bonds have fueled a ``revolving door'' criminal justice system in the city, nine men awaiting trial on murder charges have been jailed without bail or on such high bail that they can't get out.

Commonwealth's Attorney Martin Bullock said the nine cases represent a renewed determination to keep violent criminals off the streets.

``We're seeking higher bonds and we're . . . asking the court to maintain high bonds . . . and really combat defense motions to reduce bonds,'' Bullock said. ``Yes, we're being more vigilant, but you have to admit that the courts are also being responsive to our vigilance.''

Shawnta Ward, one of the nine murder suspects, is in Portsmouth jail on $1 million bail.

``I am indigent,'' Ward wrote in a Jan. 16 letter to a Circuit Court judge. ``My family and bondsmen are really trying to post my bond. . . . Please consider lowering my bond to a reasonable amount so I can have a chance to become valuable to society. . . . I have a job set up when I get home.''

Two other suspects are being held without bail, five on $1 million bail and one on $800,000 bail.

In four of the cases, the high bailwas set by magistrates and upheld in General District Court. In one case, a Circuit Court judge ordered a defendant held without bail.

Judges, magistrates and prosecutors have all said they are redoubling their efforts.

General District Judge James A. Cales Jr., who reviews bail set by magistrates, said one reason he's setting higher bail is that prosecutors are presenting better evidence.

``I think that quite often the difference in the way a judge sets bonds deals with the amounts of proof set before him,'' Cales said.

Some defense attorneys for the nine said they planned to argue for reduced bail, but with the climate in Portsmouth growing increasingly chilly for accused murderers, they believe they have little chance.

About as much as finding a bonding company that will post a $1 million bond.

``A million-dollar bond is basically no bond. There's no difference,'' said James Short, who represents two of the nine murder suspects. ``Maybe in the O.J. case . . . but in my cases, it means no bond.''

Even if defendants were able to come up with $100,000 - the 10 percent cash fee required by bonding companies for a $1 million bond - most local bonding agents still wouldn't touch it. The risk is too great if a suspect flees.

Cales said Friday that while there may be no practical difference between no bail and $1 million bail, there are ideological and constitutional differences.

``I think no bond should be limited to those absolute extreme dangers,'' Cales said. ``If you look at the constitution and Virginia statutes, there is a difference between a high bond and no bond.''

Defense attorneys representing the nine men were split in their response. Several said that considering the seriousness of the charges they can't criticize the decisions.

Others expressed concern that the high bails were a response to political pressure rather than an effort to dole out fairer justice.

``It appears bonds have been upped in the past few months,'' said George E. Talbot Jr., the lawyer for 16-year-old Jerome Gore, who is being held on $500,000 bail. ``I don't know whether that's in response to certain articles written about low bonds being placed, but it seems that high-profile cases are getting high bonds.''

For his part, Commonwealth's Attorney Bullock is promising to fight for high bail as long as he continues to see a high volume of violent crimes.

``That gets them off the street,'' Bullock said. ``I have to say at this early point that that seems to be working.'' MEMO: Staff writer Jon Frank contributed to this report.

ILLUSTRATION: Graphic

BEING HELD

Here are the murder suspects being held on high bail or without

bail in Portsmouth:

Shawnta Lamont Ward, 19, of the 4600 block Arthur Ave. Ward is

being held on $1 million bail. He is charged in the fatal shooting

of 20-year-old Michael McCormick on Nov. 17 in a Portsmouth

restaurant while McCormick played dominos.

Ward was charged earlier last year with the shooting death of

22-year-old Efrem D. Garner in the Downtown Tunnel on April 24.

Those charges have been dismissed.

Keith Columbus, 23, of the 100 block of Wilson Parkway. Columbus

is being held without bail. He is charged with two murders. One, on

Sept. 8, 1995, of 32-year-old Reginald Anderson during a robbery in

the Dale Homes housing community. The other, of Bruce E. Moody, 33,

who was found April 7, 1994, stabbed numerous times in the chest.

Shawn Moye, 18, of the 800 block of Godwin St. Moye is being held

on $1 million bail. He is charged with shooting and robbing

23-year-old Jermaine L. Johnson on Aug. 6 in the breezeway of a

Virginia Avenue home.

Nathaniel Richardson, 23, of 800 block of Lincoln St. was held

without bail after he allegedly hit a police officer while on bond

for the March 21 shooting death of his 19-year-old girlfriend,

Telisha Johnson.

Ernest C. Scott Jr., 21, of the 900 block of Ann St. He is held

on $1 million bail in the slaying of Mark A. Holley who was robbed

and shot by men wearing ski masks on Jan. 23.

Michael L. McGuire, 19, of the 500 block of Madison St., a

co-defendant in the Holley slaying, $1 million bail.

Terry Antonio Kee, 19, of the 100 block of Charleston Ave., a

co-defendant in the Holley slaying, $1 million bail.

Tywone Lavelle Wilkins, 18, of the 600 block of Edwards St., a

co-defendant in the Holley slaying, $1 million bail.

Maurice Melson, 25, of the 3100 block of Greenwood Drive, a

co-defendant in the Holley case, $800,000 bail.

KEYWORDS: BAIL PORTSMOUTH CIRCUIT COURT by CNB