Zhu to receive mental health evaluation prior to trial
Haiyang Zhu, the man accused of killing a fellow graduate student in the Au Bon Pain Cafe in the Graduate Life Center at Virginia Tech last month, is being treated at Central State Hospital in Petersburg, Va., according to The Roanoke Times.
Zhu has been charged with first-degree murder for stabbing and decapitating Xin Yang, a 22-year-old business student. A forensic psychologist will evaluate his sanity at the time of the alleged offense and gauge his competency to stand trial in Montgomery County.
Zhu's lawyer, Stephanie Cox, argued that a Mandarin-speaking psychologist at the Institute of Law, Psychiatry and Public Policy at the University of Virginia should evaluate Zhu.
Brad Finch, the Commonwealth Attorney in Montgomery County, argued that Zhu's English was fine, and that the defendant does not need to be evaluated in his native language.
Finch also noted that Zhu presents a serious danger to the general public and said that he had security concerns with transporting Zhu anywhere, a sentiment that judge Gino Williams echoed.
Williams said he would not transport Zhu under any condition, but did, after adjourning the court, appoint the UVa psychologist Cox requested on the grounds that Zhu be evaluated in Montgomery County Jail or at Central State, according to The Roanoke Times.
Zhu was scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing on March 5, but the date has been pushed back to April 23, 2009, to allow time for his mental evaluation to be completed.
Legislature approves restaurant smoking ban
The House of Delegates and Virginia Senate voted yesterday to ban smoking in all restaurants that do not have a separate ventilated smoking room.
Gov. Tim Kaine must now sign the bill before it goes into effect. Kaine has expressed his support of the bill, and will likely approve the measure as soon as possible.
Barring an unforeseen rejection by Kaine, Virginia will join 23 other states and the District of Columbia that have passed bans on smoking indoors in bars and restaurants. The bill excludes private clubs and does not regulate smoking on unenclosed outdoor patios at public restaurants.
The legislation's approval came as a result of a compromise between the House and Senate. The House demanded the original bill, which mandated that smoking only be allowed in restaurant areas that were isolated by a door and independent ventilation system, be weakened before it became eligible for approval again.
The Senate approved the bill in a 27-13 vote, while the legislation passed in the House by a margin of 60-39.
Virginia General Assembly's approval of the smoking ban legislation could strike a blow to the tobacco industry that originated in the state. Phillip Morris USA, one of the world's largest tobacco manufacturers is centered in Virginia.
Similar legislation has been proposed in recent years and subsequently denied by the House, partially because of the influence of rural lawmakers who value the impact of tobacco production and consumption on Virginia's economy.
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Don't kid yourself - the smoking ban is a watered-down version of the original ban. This is more about posturing than taking a real stance on fresh air.
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i dont really know what to think abotu that all i know is that we dont have alot of money right now to re model things just because people want a different room to smoke in
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Once this becomes law, this will become the year to remember because the people of Virginia were FINALLY heard louder than Big Tobacco. That is great news for Virginia Bars and Restaurants, too. Bottom line is that smoking stinks and non-smokers don’t want to smell it when they’re eating out. Whether studies are considered skewed or not, 80% of the population are non-smokers, and we frankly don’t want to be exposed to it. Maryland saw a substantial increase in business when they went non-smoking. Which population would an owner rather cater to - 1 out of 5, OR 4 out of 5? Non-smokers can finally enjoy the bar setting without being forced out by smoke! The facts are in the numbers. I’m not one to deny anyone their right to smoke, just take it outside. Airports and Hospitals have no smoking policies, and they haven’t gone out of business; restaurants won't either. Smokers, don't feel like you're the ONLY ones that keep restaurants and bars in business. The 20% of you don't mean a thing.
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