Hearing for two charged in slaying postponed to 2010

The preliminary hearings of the two Nelson County men who are charged in the death of a 73-year-old Afton woman last May were continued for the third time last week and will be rescheduled for next year.

Austin Griffin, 20, of Afton, and Christopher James Meeks, 19, of Shipman, are charged with first-degree murder in the death of Opal Page, who was found dead in her home by authorities on May 6.

According to the Nelson County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office, they are waiting for additional forensic evidence from the state lab in Richmond. The preliminary hearings will be held in the Nelson County General District Court when the results are received.

Griffin and Meeks are also charged with felony burglary at night with the intent to commit a felony. Both are being held at the Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Jail.

The preliminary hearings for Griffin and Meeks have been rescheduled twice to allow more time for them to acquire attorneys.

David Heilberg, of the Charlottesville-based law firm Dygert, Wright, Hobbs and Heilberg, is listed as Meeks’ attorney, and Fran Lawrence of the Charlottesville-based law firm St. John, Bowling, Lawrence and Quagliana is listed as Griffin’s attorney, according to court documents.

Authorities found Page in her ranch-style home in the 7200 block of Rockfish Valley Highway on May 6, after she was reported to have missed a lunch date.

A retired elementary school teacher’s aide who lived alone in the modest home, Page was found in a pool of blood. An autopsy showed she had been stabbed, authorities said.

Page’s vehicle was found the next day on B Street in Waynesboro.

Authorities then began a regional manhunt for suspects, asking for tips from anyone who may have seen two men around the area of Page’s home the day she died.

Meeks and Griffin were arrested May 11. The next day, Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks said investigators found a knife that they believe was used in the slaying and “other items of interest” near Fourth Street in Waynesboro, less than a mile from where Page’s car was found.