Deputies, daughter differ in assault case
After an unusual hearing, assault and battery charges against Sheila F. Haun were dismissed when substantial discrepancies were found in the testimonies of the two responding RCSO officers and Haun’s daughter, Tamara Estes, who had originally called the police.
Estes said she and her mother had gotten into an argument last Dec. 9 over a change in Christmas plans, and had called the police because she wanted to be escorted out of the house. “I didn’t want anything to escalate,” Estes said.
Deputy Chris Ubben and Sgt. D.J. Stevens said they were called to a domestic assault in progress, though in court Tuesday morning Estes said her mother had never struck her. Photos showed Estes with a knot on her head (which she claimed was a permanent mark from her childhood temper tantrums), as well as scratches on her arms. Both deputies reported hearing Haun say something about “amnesia in the courtroom,” but no offenses could be proven.
“I just can’t get over [Estes’] testimony — and this is the Commonwealth’s witness,” said Haun’s counsel, Kirk Milam. “There’s direct evidence there was not an assault and battery . . . Ms. Estes said there was no contact. That’s all there is.”
Though he ultimately dismissed the charges, Whisenant addressed Estes on the dangers of lying under oath. “There’s a lot of little problems with this case. And there may be a case later where you’re charged with perjury. There’s no reason to use community resources [like the police] . . . and then suddenly develop ‘amnesia.’ ”
“Between you and me,” Whisenant continued, “were this a jury trial, there’s a condition in there that says the jurors are to use their common sense. Common sense tells me real quick your mother wouldn’t be here in court this morning if [what you said today] was really the case.”
Despite pleading not guilty, Vanphunida Iv was found guilty of possessing a controlled substance (adderall) without a prescription. RCSO Deputy Cody Dodson said he pulled Iv, 31, of Fairfax, over last Sept. 15 after observing him crossing the center line several times on U.S. 211.
Dodson said he smelled alcohol after stopping Iv, and charged him with driving under the influence (DUI). Dodson said he also found several “small, orange pills” in the car, which Iv said he bought from a friend. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Sept. 23.