Preston trial set for November
By Alexandra Bogdanovic
A trial date has been set in the case of Travis Durell Preston.
Preston, 24, of Salem, is facing numerous felony charges-- including child endangerment, assault and battery on law enforcement officers, felony eluding and felony destruction of property — stemming from a police chase on Interstate 66 this spring.
At a hearing in Fauquier County Circuit Court on Monday, Preston waived his right to a jury trial and requested a trial before a judge instead. But prosecutors, said they'd prefer to try the case before a jury.
A one-day jury trial will now be held in Circuit Court Nov. 3. The deadline for filing any pre-trial motions is Oct. 1
During a preliminary hearing in General District Court, Judge Charles B. Foley not only heard testimony from the state troopers involved in the incident, but saw video footage captured on cameras in their cruisers.
The state troopers who were involved in the pursuit testified Preston had his infant daughter in the car with him when he engaged them in the pursuit May 7. They also testified that Preston used her as a "shield" when they approached his vehicle with firearms drawn once the chase had ended.
During the pursuit, Preston allegedly cut through a work zone, hit two police cruisers, and drove against traffic on the highway for more than a mile.
Preston finally lost control of his own vehicle, hit a guard rail and went airborne, police said.
Preston and his daughter were both transported to the hospital by EMS personnel to be checked out. The little girl was unharmed, police said.
After the initial hearing, Foley found Preston guilty of speeding, driving on a revoked/suspended license, driving with an improper registration and obstruction of justice.
Foley also found enough probable cause to certify six felony charges to a grand jury. The panel indicted Preston July 28.
E-mail the reporter: abogdanovic@timespapers.com