Second arrest made in Amherst County shooting death

By Carrie J. Sidener & Chris Dumond
Media General News Service
Published: May 22, 2008

Justin Davis had previously told authorities he had been abducted by Timothy Wayne Wright Jr., who is charged with murder in the death of Justin Baumgardner (above).

An Amherst County deputy’s son who initially told authorities he was abducted by an Amherst man accused of murder has been charged with murder himself.

Justin Davis, 25, is held without bond in the Blue Ridge Regional Jail, charged with first-degree murder. Davis is son of Amherst County Sheriff’s Deputy Steve Davis.

He was arrested May 22 at the Izaak Walton League Campground in Amherst County.

Authorities had already arrested 21-year-old Timothy Wayne Wright Jr. on charges including murder and abducting Justin Davis in the death of 19-year-old Justin Baumgardner.

A search warrant filed by the Amherst County Sheriff’s Office identified Justin Davis as a witness to the murder, stating he told investigators he was with Wright when Baumgardner was shot.

Davis said the handgun that killed Baumgardner was stolen from him, the search warrant states.

Two new search warrants filed in relation to Davis’s arrest were sealed by Circuit Judge J. Michael Gamble last week.

Amherst County Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Maddox said she asked for Gamble to appoint a special prosecutor to handle the charges and he agreed.

“We’re off the case,” Maddox said.

Maddox asked Rockingham County Commonwealth’s Attorney Marsha Garst to take the case, according to a state police news release.

Garst has asked police and other parties in the case not to talk to media to avoid prejudicing a potential jury pool so the trial would not need to be moved from Amherst County, according to the release issued by Virginia State Police Lt. Joseph Rader.

Baumgardner was found dead in his pickup truck in a driveway off Elon Road the morning of May 4.

Cartridge casings were found along the road and a black cap was found near the casings.

Authorities have said they believe Baumgardner was shot the previous night. He had no connection to the residence at the driveway where his body was found, authorities said.

- Reporter Dave Thompson contributed to this report.