Virginia Union shooting suspect ordered held without bond

A judge today upheld an appeal of a $15,000 bond issued for the release of the suspect in last month's shooting of a Virginia Union University student on the Richmond school's campus.

The decision by Richmond Circuit Judge Margaret P. Spencer overturned Friday's ruling by Richmond General District Judge David E. Cheek Sr. to allow Jimar Lee Jewell out of jail while awaiting trial on charges of malicious wounding and use of a firearm in a felony.

Cheek had set bail at $15,000 but delayed imposition of his ruling until Chief Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Tracy Thorne-Begland could appeal the matter to Richmond Circuit Court.

In a brief hearing this morning, Spencer sided with Thorne-Begland, saying there was "the potential for flight" because Jewell's previous convictions included one for failure to appear.

Jewell did not display any emotion as Spencer ordered him held without bond and set Oct. 22 for a preliminary hearing in the case.

Jewell, 21, has been held since his arrest shortly after the Aug. 30 early-morning shooting, which left a Virginia Union student with serious leg injuries.

Jewell is a nephew of Richmond City Councilman E. Martin Jewell.

Thorne-Begland said the shooting occurred during "a large melee" on campus and stemmed from an earlier argument at a convenience store near Virginia Union that pitted some students against some of Jewell's associates -- but not Jewell.

-- Joe Macenka