Trial delay sought for ex-VCU police chief

Former Virginia Commonwealth University Police Chief Willie Fuller remains hospitalized in very serious condition, his attorney says, and will be unable to stand trial tomorrow on charges that he sexually solicited an underage girl online.

Defense attorney Arnold Henderson said he will ask a Chesterfield County judge to postpone Fuller's trial, which was set in May after Fuller's indictment on charges of attempting to take indecent liberties with a minor and using a computer to solicit sex from a juvenile.

"He experienced a diabetic episode of some kind, and his condition is still very serious," said Henderson, who recently visited Fuller in the hospital. "He is able to communicate, but he is not physically in good shape."

Chesterfield Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney David Rigler, who will prosecute the case, has been told about Fuller's situation and will likely agree to postpone the trial.

Henderson said he didn't know whether stress from Fuller's legal difficulties contributed to his current medical problems. "I would not want to go so far as to even speculate on that," he said.

Fuller has a history of health problems related to diabetes, Henderson said.

Fuller, 50, was arrested Jan. 28 after police said he used a computer at his Henrico County home to sexually solicit a Chesterfield detective posing as a 14-year-old girl in an online chat room. Authorities say he portrayed himself as being in his mid-30s and used the screen name "Hotcop2006."

VCU officials announced in early April that Fuller was no longer employed by the university.

Contact Mark Bowes at (804) 649-6450 or .