A judge committed Jamie Poindexter, the 19-year-old charged with the April slaying of a University graduate student, to the state mental health agency last week.
Poindexter is charged with capital murder, robbery and grand larceny in connection with the death of Alison Meloy, who was a graduate student in the department of government and foreign affairs.
Poindexter, Meloy's next-door neighbor, was charged in May with the stabbing death of Meloy in her townhouse, located at 2117 Commonwealth Drive. Her body was found in her townhouse on April 25.
Meloy was stabbed 15 to 20 times.
The University Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy issued a report earlier in the summer proclaiming Poindexter incapable in assisting his attorneys in his defense.
Public defense attorney Jim Hingeley, who represents Poindexter, said that after the release of the report, he simply was following legal procedure in recommending that Poindexter undergo treatment.
The only question was whether Poindexter should enter an in-patient or out-patient treatment program, and, in this case, it was determined "treatment would be better accomplished in an in-patient hospital rather than an out-patient" program, Hingeley said.
Prosecuting commonwealth attorney James L. Camblos III said he had a doctor review the findings, and that the doctor reached the same conclusion about Poindexter's condition.
The purpose of the treatment is to restore Poindexter to competency, so he will be able to stand trial.
A review date for the case is set for November, but Hingeley said that depending on the effectiveness of Poindexter's treatment, court proceedings could progress before then.
A 16-year-old from Waynesboro also was charged in the case with serving as an accessory after the fact. Police have not released his name because he is a minor.
Meloy worked as a teaching assistant for Larry J. Sabato, a government and foreign affairs professor, in his Introduction to American Politics course. She also worked as a researcher at the Sorenson Institute for political leadership.
To honor Meloy, the department of government and foreign affairs plans to plant a dogwood tree on the Lawn, as well as place a plaque on Cabell Hall near the new tree.
The department also has renamed its annual award for outstanding teaching assistants the "Alison J. Meloy Outstanding Graduate Teaching Assistant Award."
Robert Fatton Jr., chairman of the department of government and foreign affairs, said graduate students within the department are organizing a ceremony for the tree and plaque dedication sometime in the fall.
The department is paying for the tree and plaque through a memorial fund, and any money left over will go toward the new award in Meloy's name.
Any person wishing to contribute to the fund should make checks payable to the Department of Government and Foreign Affairs (For Meloy Memorial) and mail them to: Alison Meloy Memorial Fund, Department of Government and Foreign Affairs, University of Virginia, P.O. Box 400787, Charlottesville, Va. 22904.
Read More
Board of Visitors Finance Committee hears presentation on budget process
By Cecilia Mould | 30 minutes agoThe Committee will review and vote on the budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year when the full Board reconvenes for its June meeting.
Police forcefully clear encampment near University Chapel, detain protesters
By Thomas Baxter and Finn Trainer | 2 days agoThe University declared the encampment an unlawful assembly at 2:44 p.m.
Student Council passes appointment bill, approves new CIOs at final meeting of semester
By Arshiya Pant | 3 days agoMendoza Gonzalez also said she will be meeting with Kenyon R. Bonner, vice president and chief student affairs officer, to discuss further strategies for the Student Council Endowment Fund.
