University of Virginia Library

Police Charge Widow
With Death Of Husband

By ANN BROWN

Caroline Watson Godine, widow of
Richard L. Godine, has been charged with
involuntary manslaughter in connection
with the death of the University's
Director of Development.

A statement on the case was released at
12:30 p.m. yesterday by George L.
Bailey, Albemarle County Sheriff, and
Charles R. Haugh, acting county
commonwealth's attorney. According to
the statement, an investigation of the
incident had disclosed that "Mr. Godine
was shot by his wife. Caroline Watson
Godine, but that Mr. Godine's death was
not the result of a malicious or
intentional act.

"However, the circumstances
surrounding the act do warrant a
prosecution for involuntary
manslaughter," the release continued, and
accordingly we have this day authorized
the issuance of a warrant charging Mrs.
Godine with involuntary manslaughter in
the death of her husband."

Mr. Bailey refused to disclose any of the
circumstances surrounding the case. He
did state, however, that Mrs. Godine was
not attempting suicide at the time of the
incident.

Mrs. Godine was formally processed
and released yesterday on $1000 bond.
Through her attorney Robert Patterson
of Richmond, Mrs. Godine has, according
to the Sheriff's statement, waived

preliminary hearing and indictment by a
Grand Jury.

Mr. Bailey reported that the
investigation had been conducted by Lt.
J. L. Higgins of the Albemarle County
Sheriff's Department and R. P. Rainey,
Jr. an investigator for the Virginia State
Police.

The University had appointed Mr.
Godine early this year to direct its
development programs. Since his
graduation in 1953, he had been actively
interested in the University. He formerly
served as president of the Maryland
Chapter of the Alumni Association and as
a member of the Virginia Student Aid
Foundation.

He is survived by one son, three
daughters, his parents, a sister, a brother,
and his maternal grandmother, in
addition to his wife.

Richard L. Godine

The Late Director Of Development