Deavers VFW arson-embezzlement trial re-set for March 2019

In the wake of the withdrawal of her original defense counsel in the weeks leading up to her third scheduled arson and embezzlement trial date, former VFW Post 1860 employee Lesley Rose Deavers saw a fourth date set Monday morning, August 27.  A three-day jury trial had been scheduled to begin Monday morning.

However, rather than a trial, Deavers was given a new attorney Monday morning.  Her trial is now set for March 4-5-6, 2019.  This delay was required to give her new, court-appointed attorney Jason Ransom of Winchester time to familiarize himself with the case against his client.  Ransom told the court that he would acquire defense-sought discovery information in the case from Deavers’ original attorney David Downes.

As previously reported, Downes submitted a motion to withdraw from the case on August 13 after being informed by the commonwealth that he may be called as a prosecution witness against Deavers in a case involving her initial securing of him as her attorney.  In Downes filing to withdraw he notes the pending charge against his now former client involves a $1,000 third-party check Deavers used to secure Downes service as her defense attorney.

Deavers agreed to continue her previous waiver of her right to a speedy trial during the Monday morning hearing.

The new trial date is the fourth scheduled in the case.  It was originally scheduled to begin April 25, 2017, two-and-a-half months after her arrest.  A March 2018 trial date was then set but postponed on a defense motion for additional time to develop its case, leading to the August 27 date now continued six-and-a-half months into March 2019.

The now 57-year-old Deavers was arrested on February 8, 2017, after a year-and-a-half investigation into the July 11, 2015 fire that destroyed the Colonel Samuel R. Millar Front Royal VFW Post 1860 headquarters.  Damage estimates were $500,000.

Fire damage to the VFW Post 1860 headquarters

In addition to two arson charges each carrying 5 to 20-year sentences, Deavers is also facing an embezzlement charge carrying a 1 to 20-year sentence.  On Monday Commonwealth’s Attorney Brian Madden told the court the prosecution had some federal witnesses it believed available through March of next year.  In addition to local law enforcement and emergency services agencies the ATF was cited as contributing to the 18-month investigation leading to Deavers arrest.

Deavers was also cited as a suspect in a breaking and entering at the VFW headquarters eight days prior to the fire that destroyed the VFW headquarters.  Investigators indicated a belief the break in, during which several thousand dollars was stolen may have been initiated to cover up the alleged long-term embezzlement scheme totaling as much as $100,000 over time.

On August 27 Deavers told the court she was in need of a court-appointed attorney.  She remains free on a $25,000 bond secured by her former attorney five days after her February 2017 arrest.