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The original item was published from 6/17/2013 10:13:16 AM to 6/18/2016 12:10:05 AM.

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Commonwealth's Attorney

Posted on: June 17, 2013

[ARCHIVED] Judge Upholds Jury Recommendation

Harris, Moses.jpg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 14, 2013

Contact: Heather F. Williamson
Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office
20 East Market Street
Leesburg, VA 20176-2809
(703) 777-0242

JUDGE UPHOLDS JURY RECOMMENDATION

TWO LIFE SENTENCES, PLUS 75 YEARS IMPOSED

LEESBURG, Virginia – June 13, 2013. Moses Ulysses Harris, 52, appeared before the
Circuit Court of Loudoun County, in custody, for sentencing on two counts of rape, two
counts of carnal knowledge, five counts of indecent liberties with a child by custodian, and
one count of manufacturing child pornography. Judge Burke F. McCahill upheld a March
jury recommendation sentencing Harris to two life sentences plus 75 years in the Virginia
Department of Corrections. Additionally, McCahill imposed a three year period of postrelease
supervision.

Under Virginia law McCahill could have reduced the jury’s recommendation by providing
written reasons therefore, but he could not have increased the jury’s recommendation. The
two life terms plus 45 years of the 75 year sentence imposed was a mandatory minimum
sentence as directed under the Virginia Code, and therefore it could not have been reduced in
whole or in part.

During the course of the three day jury trial in March, 2013, Sr. Assistant Commonwealth’s
Attorney Gigi Lawless and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Angela L. Vernail presented
evidence that beginning in the summer of 2007, Harris, a previously convicted sex offender
worked his way into the lives a local family. He eventually moved into their home and
preyed on one of the young children living there and repeated sexual abuse on that child
took place for the next five years.

The prior news release for this case can be viewed at www.loudoun.gov/oca or
www.facebook.com/LoudounOCA.

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