From The Roanoke Times
Paul Anthony Harris faces the prospect of 38 years in prison and a $2,500 fine after being convicted Friday on four charges related to the Aug. 9, 2010, car crash that killed two people on U.S. 460 near Bonsack.
Harris, 41, displayed little emotion as the verdicts and recommended sentence were read, but earlier Friday afternoon he had broken down sobbing just as his lawyer was finishing closing arguments before the jury retired to consider the evidence.
Roanoke County Circuit Court Judge James Swanson immediately called a recess to allow Harris to leave the room to compose himself.
Emotions ran high through much of the final session of the four-day trial.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Brian Holohan apologized to the jury for becoming emotional early in his closing arguments, recounting the deaths of 41-year-old Jill Jones and her 16-year-old son, Nicholas, and the maiming of Melanie Lynn Rice. …..MORE