Steve Whitt, 48, of the Hurley area of Buchanan County received two life sentences today after being convicted of two counts of Attempted Capital Murder. Following a three-day jury trial in the Circuit Court of Buchanan County, Judge Patrick Johnson today affirmed the jury’s multiple life sentences.

"The officer's were absolutely extraordinary in their handling of this matter," Commonwealth's Attorney Tamara Neo said. "On October 8, 2009, Whitt lured them to his home, then inside, where he had a 12 and a half inch butcher knife with a nine inch blade hidden under the couch cushion. The knife handle was also taped up with duct tape. Whitt sat immediately over the knife with his legs apart so that his hand was immediately in front of the handle. Officers didn't see the handle at first and only recognized the dangerous item when he started screaming that he was going to kill them."

The jury's verdict was announced on September 23, 2010 after three days of trial and a few hours of jury deliberation. The final sentencing on that jury recommendation affirmed the jury's verdict and gave Whitt two life sentences to serve in the Virginia Department of Corrections.

Additionally, the court imposed another 5 years on a violation of probation from prior convictions of manslaughter and unlawful wounding.

"Whitt's violent behavior began in 1981 and never stopped," Neo said. "His life convictions resonates loudly that Buchanan County will no longer tolerate people of this nature within our peaceful community, and one by one, they are being convicted and sent away for long sentences - or for good."

Official Release
Tamara Neo, Virginia Commonwealth Attorney
Phone: (276) 935-6519
E-Mail: tamaraneo@gmail.com