THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 25, 1996 TAG: 9604250472
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
Del. Robert E. Nelms has suggested that his indecent exposure arrest in Richmond was the result of police harassment.
In a letter to his constituents published in Sunday's edition of the Suffolk News-Herald, the Republican said the arresting officer made him drive from the scene of the alleged offense on Feb. 15 to serve him the summons in Byrd Park, an area often associated with vice arrests.
``The officer made me drive over a mile to Byrd Park to issue me a summons. We passed numerous places that he could have stopped, but instead, he drove over a mile to Byrd Park,'' Nelms wrote in the letter.
The charge was later dismissed by a judge who ruled that Nelms had immunity from arrest while the General Assembly was in session. Richmond prosecutor Claire G. Cardwell said she intends to ask a grand jury to indict Nelms on May 6.
Nelms, 36, wrote that he has been tarred by the news media.
``The worst convicted murderer has not received more attention that I have over this ridiculous situation,'' he said.
In the letter, Nelms said he was walking along the James River in Three Mile Locks Park when he stopped to urinate.
``I wish I could say this in a dignified manner, but I cannot. Ladies and gentlemen, in a private place, I took a leak behind a fence, in the woods by the river,'' Nelms wrote.
According to city maps, Three Mile Locks Park is part of Byrd Park. It is adjacent to Pump House Drive, where the summons cites the incident as taking place.
Cardwell said she could not comment on Nelms' statements.
``Whatever I'm tempted to say (in response to the letter) relates to the facts, and they should come out in court,'' she said. by CNB