Judge sets October 2015 trial date for Severance

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) — A judge has set an October 2015 trial date for a Loudoun County man charged with three murders in the city of Alexandria over the last 11 years.

The Oct. 5 trial date for Charles Severance split the difference between defense attorneys who sought more time to prepare and prosecutors who wanted an earlier trial date.

Judge Jane Marum Roush, brought in to preside over the case after Alexandria’s judges recused themselves, said at Thursday’s hearing she expects the trial to last four to six weeks.

One of the slaying victims, Ruthanne Lodato, was the sister of a retired Alexandria judge, prompting the recusals.

Roush deferred a decision on whether to allow a still photographer and television camera at the trial. Media organizations, including The Associated Press, requested the cameras.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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