DATE: Tuesday, October 28, 1997             TAG: 9710280236
SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B9   EDITION: FINAL 

TYPE: Briefs 

                                            LENGTH:   72 lines

COURTS & CRIME

Norfolk

Defense evaluation

finds defendant in

murder case insane

Tobin Jones' defense psychiatrist, in a sealed report, has determined Jones was insane at the time that police say he killed his wife Megan, Jones' attorneys said in court Monday.

Defense attorney James Broccoletti notified prosecutors on Monday that he plans to use an insanity defense if Jones goes to trial for the May 1996 death.

The notification paved the way for prosecutors to order an evaluation of Jones by a state psyciatrist. If the state psychiatrict determines Jones was insane at the time of the crime, it is unlikely prosecutors would proceed.

Psychiatrists for both sides have already determined that Jones suffers from bipolar disorder, characterized by episodes of depression and manic behavior.

Jones was medical director of the Norfolk Community Services Board when his wife was killed.

PORTSMOUTH

Juveniles lead police

on chase in stolen van

Police were led on a low-speed chase Monday after the driver of a stolen van refused to stop, according to police spokeswoman Amber Whittaker.

Police spotted the van about 2:30 p.m. in Churchland. After the van hit an occupied Ford Ranger at Greenbrook Drive and Cedar Lane, Whittaker said, the van's driver led police along Route 164. The stolen van struck another occupied vehicle at Bayview Boulevard and Mount Vernon Avenue before the driver lost control and crashed a block away.

Neither of the motorists whose vehicles were hit was injured.

However, the two juveniles in the stolen van, both of Virginia Beach, were taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Residents are warned

about telephone scam

Investigators are looking into a report that a man tried to obtain money from an elderly Portsmouth resident on the pretense that the victim would be helping police solve a bank embezzlement.

The man apparently called the older citizen about noon Friday and identified himself as Portsmouth's interim police chief, John Tucker, according to police spokeswoman Lindsay Disbrow.

The elderly man was advised to remove cash from his bank account and wait for instructions.

A family member of the victim intervened at the last minute.

Disbrow stressed that the department is not investigating any bank embezzlements and that if citizens receive calls from anyone claiming to be the police chief, they should call Crime Line at 488-7777.

Another student charged

in wake of brawl at Wilson

A 17-year-old male student at Woodrow Wilson High was arrested and charged with possession of a weapon on school grounds and three counts of robbery in connection with an Oct. 14 brawl at the school. Two other students were charged earlier: one with disorderly conduct, one with inciting a riot.

The youth was arrested Friday and sent to the Tidewater Detention Home in Chesapeake. He was suspended from school for 30 days. Police are investigating. MEMO: Staff writer Janie Bryant contributed to this report. KEYWORDS: MURDER CHASE PORTSMOUTH POLICE FLIM FLAM

FRAUD RIOT ARREST

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