Posted on 06/09/2010 8:20:15 AM PDT by Darnright
11:07 p.m. by Jarett Henshaw ROANOKE CITY - Troy Bird ran as a Republican for the House of Delegates in 2009 against Democrat Onzlee Ware. “I do give him credit because he did get some votes, but he was actually cordial and very statesman like. We never had an mud slinging,” said Ware. Ware won that race by more than 20 points. Bird has now been arrested and charged with forcible sodomy, aggravated sexual battery, and taking indecent liberties with a minor. “Charges are, that’s what they are, only charges I’ll reserve any opinion about the outcome of this case until he’s tried. In this country there’s always the presumption of innocence. He may be innocent,” said Ware. We went out to bird’s home in Southeast Roanoke, only to have the door shut in our face with no comment from the woman inside. We spoke with several neighbors who knew Bird and his family and they said the Birds kept to themselves, and no one knew much about Troy Bird. Bird’s political website, which was taken down earlier Tuesday, described him as a conservative with strong Christian values. We also spoke with political analyst Dr. Bob Denton about Bird’s recent campaign and the fallout from these allegations. “The question is does this hurt the Republican brand and from some of those who are really partisan would say well see they are hypocrites about what they say about social conservatism, and there’s a difference between what they say and their behavior,” said Denton. As of Tuesday night, Bird was still in the Roanoke City Jail. The sexual acts allegedly happened between April of 2008 and April of this year. A date has not been set yet for Bird’s initial court appearance.
5:50 p.m. by Scott Leamon At last check, Bird was still in the Roanoke City Jail. Two women at Bird’s residence declined to comment on the charges. Bird gained nearly forty percent of the vote last year as a Republican in the race for the Virginia House of Delegates 11th District seat. Bird lost to incumbent Democrat Onzlee Ware by more than 20 percentage points. Bird’s campaign website described him as a strong conservative with strong Christian values. The website was taken down sometime Tuesday afternoon. State records show Bird received a $250 campaign contribution from Octavia Johnson, the sheriff now in charge of housing him during his stay at the city jail. No date has been set for Bird’s initial court appearance and there is no information in his file in Roanoke circuit court about bond. Original post: Troy Bird has been formally indicted for allegedly taking indecent liberties with a minor, forcible sodomy, and aggravated sexual battery. The birth date of the Troy Bird indicted matches the facebook page of the Troy Bird who ran unsuccessfully for the House of Delegates 11th District. Bird, the Republican candidate, lost the election to incumbent Democrat Onzlee Ware. You can see more on this story tonight on WSLS 10 On Your Side at 6 p.m.
What a revealing statement/question. It come from the position that ONLY republicans are against this sort of behavior.
Instead of asking does this hurt the politician brand or public servant brand it focuses on the Republican brand.
To me it means that it's acceptable to Democrats - or at the least something not to be held up in scorn.
Would this "expert" ever ask about the Democrat brand in this situation?
Forget about brands and double standards. The real question is what is wrong with any adult who abuses minors or people who are unfaithful to their marriage vows?
No one with so little soul, morality or common decency should ever knowingly be voted into office.
“What a revealing statement/question. It come from the position that ONLY republicans are against this sort of behavior.”
Denton, the local political pundit, barely keeps his disdain for all things Republican under an extremely thin veneer of objectivity. His position is hardly a surprise, but certainly says a lot about his party of choice.
Good. Pepople like that shouldn’t be in our midst.
You won’t find me disagreeing with your statement, that’s for sure. I just wish this had come out before he got to run as a republican.
Ever notice how all the perverts, faggots and corupt people are pull to Washington, DC?
So...he’s guilty because he’s accused?
A Democrat did this and was allowed to stay in Congress for decades.
“So...he’s guilty because he’s accused?”
That remains to be seen. In the meantime, where’s his statement to the press that he’s innocent?
Well he IS a politician. The only questions of interest being; was it a boy or was it a girl and how long will he serve in prison?
“That remains to be seen. In the meantime, where’s his statement to the press that he’s innocent?”
Well, I don’t know, but he doesn’t look like one of those slick, rich politicos with a stable of fancy lawyers. Maybe he’s maintaining silence until he can engage counsel.
Then, too, the media didn’t see fit to report the age or sex of the alleged victim, so perhaps they also chose not to report any exculpatory statements he might have made.
I’m not saying that he’s not guilty; just that we don’t yet know.
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