Charles Severance was indicted on 3 murders in Alexandria, VA from 2003 killing of realtor Nancy Dunning, 2013 killing of transportation planner Ron Kirby and beloved music teacher Ruthanne Lodato in February, 2014. In a surprise move, the prosecutors declined to seek the death penalty even though the Grand Jury indictment on 2 capital cases pursuant to VA law in Lodato and Kirby. The third case of Nancy Dunning was outside the 3 year period of time for a capital murder case. Severance is currently in jail on a weapons violation which has a trial date in October, 2014. The case was investigated by the FBI, Alexandria police and the VA State police to bring about the indictments. Of the three cases, the one involving Ruthanne Lodato is the strongest with a living eyewitness who made the composite sketch which looks identical to Severance. The killing of Nancy Dunning in 2003 is the weakest case as her now deceased husband, former Alexandria sheriff was the suspect for many years. He died as a suspect. Severance once arraigned on the charges will provide light on whether his attorneys will seek a psychiatric evaluation based on his unstable mental condition.
On Tuesday, September 9, I analyzed the case on DC’s Fox 5 morning news show with insights presently known about the case. Watch here and stay tuned for updates: