RUSTBURG — A Gretna man accused of murder in a Lynch Station slaying last month was denied bond Tuesday in Campbell County Circuit Court.
During the hearing, Commonwealth’s Attorney Neil Vener told Judge Patrick Yeatts that Renauldo Sinclair Oliver was a “menace to society.”
Oliver, 23, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of Wilbur Lee West. West, 69, was found shot in the head on May 25, just inside the doorway to his 281 Leewood Road home. According to court records, police believe the shooting happened on May 23.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Campbell County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Dwayne Wade testified that Oliver admitted on videotape to shooting West. Wade said Oliver told him the dead man’s pockets were pilfered for $25 to $30 in cash.
“At first he said he did it because of peer pressure,” Wade testified.
Later, the investigator said, Oliver told police he killed West because West had seen his face.
During the testimony of Oliver’s friends and family, Danville-based defense attorney Joe Garrett emphasized Oliver’s work history, recent acceptance into the Army and the lack of a criminal history.
All seemed stunned when Vener confronted them with Oliver’s confession.
The judge said he could think of no way to release Oliver and protect the safety of the public at the same time. He said the facts offered by the prosecutor indicated Oliver had committed a “violent, senseless, random act.”
Alphonso Lamont Destin, 21, also charged with murder in the slaying, was previously denied bond.
Both men are jailed in the Campbell County Adult Detention Center.
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