Judge denies bond to Severance in Va. weapons case

WASHINGTON — A judge has denied bond to a Virginia man being held on a weapons charge who is also getting attention from detectives investigating three unsolved slayings in Alexandria.

Fifty-three-year-old Charles Severance of Ashburn is charged in Loudoun County with illegal possession of firearms as a felon. But his case has drawn widespread attention because Alexandria police say they want to question him regarding three shooting deaths there dating back to 2003.

At a bond hearing Friday, defense lawyer Edward Ungvarsky said the weapons charge is weak and was exaggerated so police could arrest him while they continue to investigate the slayings.

Prosecutor Jim Plowman acknowledged that the criminal complaint was imprecise in describing Severance’s alleged crime. Still, the judge agreed with prosecutors that Severance should be held pending trial.

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