University of Virginia Library

Authorities Suspend Two Policemen
For Jail Assault Of Murder Suspect

By GEORGE LYON

City authorities have
suspended a jailer and a
patrolman and have suspended
and charged with assault
another patrolman after an
alleged attack on Ronald W.
Greenfield, 17, who is being
held for the murder of a
University co-ed last
November.

Charlottesville Police Chief
John deK. Bowen suspended
the two officers, J.M. Hensley,
27, and R.L. Rhoades, 30,
after investigating attorney
Gerald Tremblay's complaint
that his client, Greenfield, was
assaulted by the police.

Both Mr. Rhoades and Mr.
Hensley joined the police force
in 1971.

Mr. Rhoades was
subsequently charged with
assault and battery. He is free
on $100 property bond. His
case has been indefinitely
continued as a result of a
decision to get a
Commonwealth's Attorney
from another area to prosecute
the case in order to avoid
prejudice.

Jailer Suspended

City Sheriff Raymond C.
Pace also suspended jailer
Melvin Wilkins who supposedly
unlocked Greenfield's cell and
led the officers in.

Greenfield is the accused
slayer of fourth-year
elementary education student
Mary Frances Jordan of
Arlington, who was found
stabbed to death early one
morning in the 100 block of
Rugby Road.

The assault on Greenfield
reportedly occurred when the
officers were bringing in a
female prisoner late Friday
night, March 30. Greenfield
apparently verbally abused the
officers and threw a cup of
water at Mr. Hensley.

According to Mr. Bowen,
the policeman entered the cell
and while the officers were in
the cell, Greenfield was struck.

Greenfield later reported
what had happened to his
attorney, Mr. Trembley, who
complained to the Police Chief.

Mr. Tremblay, although
refusing to say what his client
had told him regarding the
assault, said "I did report that
my client had been assaulted
unlawfully by police officers. I
told (Mr. Bowen) about what
had transpired according to my
client. It is in his hands and in
the Commonwealth's hands
and I hope it will be properly
taken care of."

Mr. Tremblay said. "If my
client is not going to get justice
on this matter, I will certainly
see to it that this is not
whitewashed."

Mr. Bowen said he was
"greatly disappointed in the
actions of the law officers. It
was very unprofessional and
inexcusable."

Awaits Trial

Greenfield is presently
awaiting trial for the murder.
The preliminary hearing has
been set for May 2.

Greenfield had been
working at Poe's where Miss
Jordan also worked.

She had agreed to drive him
home after work, and the
stabbing supposedly occurred in
her car.

Found In Richmond

A student living on Virginia
Avenue heard screams, ran
outside his apartment, and saw
someone fitting Greenfield's
description running from the
scene.

Later that day Greenfield
was apprehended by Richmond
City Police at the Medical
College of Virginia where he
was seeking treatment for cuts
on his hand.