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By MARK SCOLFORO
Rappahannock Newt Staff Writer
U.S. District Court Judge Alben V. Bryan Jr. has ruled that Kennj W. Allison’s attorney can’t mount ai insanity defense when the trial be gins next week.
Allison, 36, of Marshall, faces nu merous federal charges resulting from an extensive FBI investigatior of his alleged cocaine distributor network, the most serious being th< “Kingpin Statute”: operation of i continuing criminal exterprise em ploying five or more persons. H( also faces cocaine conspiracy, co caine distribution, firearms anc money-laundering counts.
Also on trial next week will bt Allison’s sister, Thelma Allisor Knowlton, of Marshall. She has beer charged with conspiracy and cocairn distribution, among other charges.
Eight co-conspirators have already entered guilty pleas to conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine: Henry Payne, 42, of Washington, Va.; Jimmy Willard Melvin, 40, of Front Royal (now in prison); Ronnie Kendrick of Marshall; David Moore of Upperville; Randy Shirkey, 26, of Marshall; and Ian Nicholson, 27, of Marshall. Two anonymous witnesses have entered pre-indictment sealed pleas, agreeing to testify against Allison in court, according to Apperson.
Allison’s attorney, Jonathan Shapiro of Alexandria, filed a notice in U.S. District Court on Monday, April 22, that he intended to raise an insanity defense, and under federal rules he must do so early on in the case. With jury selection and opening statements in the Allisons’ trial due to start on Monday, April 29, at 10 a.m., the prosecution objected.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jay Apperson filed a motion to strike the notice, which Judge Bryan granted. Other forms of the insanity defense, including “diminished mental capacity,” are also covered by the ruling, according to Apperson.
Mr. Shapiro submitted a threepage letter from a Chevy Chase psychiatrist, Dr. David Pickar, who interviewed Allison in jail last week. According to Mr. Apperson, the letter was “inconclusive on the face of it,” saying more study would be needed.
In accordance with federal rules, Mr. Apperson filed exhibits with the court on Tuesday, more than five days before the Allisons’ case is set to begin.
Exhibits include some cocaine, about an ounce; numerous scales; records; photos and dozens of Allison’s firearms.
Allison, an avid hunter, drywall contractor and Marshall native, was arrested in November when more than 50 federal agents executed search warrants on his homes in Marshall and Washington, Va., as well as warrants on other properties in Fauquier County.
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