Press Release
Topic: Attempted Capitol Murder of a Police Officer
7-4-08
Contact: President Marshall Thielen
Yesterday in Fairfax County Circuit Court, the sentencing phase for Mr. Rocky King was conducted. He had been convicted of the Attempted Capitol Murder of Officer Eugene Bork of the Fairfax County Police Department the day prior. He was also convicted of the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, possession of cocaine, and possession of a firearm while in possession of cocaine.
After sentencing arguments and jury deliberations, the jury came back with the following recommendation to Judge Robert J. Smith.
· Attempted Capitol Murder of a Police Officer: 40 years in prison.
· Use of a firearm in the commission of a felony: 5 years in prison.
· Possession of cocaine, 3 years in prison.
· Possession of a firearm while in possession of cocaine: 3 years in prison.
These recommendations, if served concurrently would add up to 51 years in Prison. The Commonwealth of Virginia no longer offers parole.
The charges arise from an incident that occurred on September 11, 2007 during the investigation of a single car accident in which Mr. King was the driver and sole occupant. Mr. King produced a handgun and placed it to Officer Bork’s head. A fight for control of the weapon ensued and as Officer Bork fought for his life, backup officers were able to shoot Mr. King several times, take him into custody and render medical aid to him.
“While life in prison was our desired outcome for the attempted capitol murder charge, if Judge Smith upholds the jury recommendations and makes the defendant serve these sentences concurrently, it effectively is a life sentence for Mr. King who would be in his 70’s before being released into society again…” said Marshall E. Thielen, President of the Fairfax Coalition of Police IUPA Local 5000. He went on to say “I think that this sentence would sufficiently protect the citizens of the county from this calculated, cold blooded menace.”
The Trial began on Monday, June 30th and it concluded on July the 2nd. The sentencing phase occurred on July the 3rd. Judge Smith will rule on the jury recommendation on September 26th at 10:00am in the Fairfax County Circuit Court.
The Fairfax Coalition of Police is affiliated with the International Union of Police Associations (IUPA) and the AFL-CIO. FCOP is the largest police labor union in the Commonwealth of Virginia and represents over 900 employees of the Fairfax County Police Department.