DA wants sizeable bond for murder suspect

Published 11:10 pm Monday, January 24, 2011

Murder suspect Ronald Fitts is expected back in Selma Tuesday after being captured by officials in Henrico County, Va. last week.

Ronald Fitts

Fitts is charged with the shooting death of 25-year-old Rodney Martin on Jan. 15 in front of the 12 Tropicana Club in downtown Selma.

Martin was buried Saturday, surrounded by family and friends at Fairlawn Cemetery.

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“We are going to ask for a $5 million bond on the murder charge and a $1 million bond on each of the other charges,” District Attorney Michael Jackson said. “Those will add up $10 million in total.”

Not only is Fitts being charged with the murder of Martin, but also with four counts of attempted murder and one count of shooting into an occupied dwelling.

Selma chief of police William Riley said Fitts was expected back Tuesday after personnel from his department went to Henrico County to retrieve Fitts.

Officials with the Henrico County Sheriff’s Department confirmed Fitts had been in custody at the facility, but was no longer there as of Monday morning.

Fitts was arrested in Virginia Jan. 18 when officers were called to a report of suspicious persons. When police arrived, they met Fitts who then took off running while being interviewed.

Police apprehended Fitts and then discovered he had outstanding warrants for his arrest tied to the Jan. 15 shooting that left Martin dead and four others injured.

Jackson was unsure when Fitts would make his first court appearance, where the bond will be set, but expected it to be either Tuesday afternoon or Wednesday.