Accused rapist shakes up Canton, rural Va. neighborhood
The suspect in Saturday's rape in Canton also confessed to two attacks that shook up a small Virginia town and will face charges there as well, according to police. Here's our story that ran today, touching on the impact of his alleged crimes there:
In 24 years as the police chief of tiny Kilmarnock, Va., Michael Bedell had never had to investigate a rape.
So when two were reported within a span of four days recently, it sent shock waves through the community. The town of about 1,200 raised $10,000 for a reward fund, and neighboring jurisdictions supplemented the town's patrol force of five officers to provide around-the-clock coverage.
"When the sun went down, our town lit up, from porch lights, streetlights, everything," said Bedell.
Meanwhlie, detectives investigating the shooting death of Clifford Jamar Williams, a 22-year-old solider on leave from Afghanistan are finding few leads. But they have clarified that his wife was not in the vehicle with him when an unknown gunman approached and opened fire.







