Court Opinion

ID: 9883500
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-10-06 01:43:49.693021+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T07:48:24.023995
License: Public Domain

Benton, J.,
dissenting.
I join in the discussion and conclusion in Judge Barrow’s dissenting opinion that the evidence did not prove beyond a reasonable doubt “intent to defile,” a necessary element of the charged offense. Code § 18.2-48. Because I do not believe that the evidence proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Hughes abducted the child, I do not join in the entirety of Judge Barrow’s dissent. For that reason and for the reasons stated in my opinion concur*536ring in and dissenting from the opinion of the panel that first considered this appeal, see Hughes v. Commonwealth, 16 Va. App. 576, 596-602, 431 S.E.2d 906, 919-22 (1993) (Benton, J., concurring and dissenting), I would reverse the conviction.