Photo Courtesy of CBS-19 Charlottesville: Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks leads Christopher Meeks from the Nelson County courthouse Tuesday afternoon after he was sentenced to 3 life sentences for the murder of Opal Page.

Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia
In a similar plea agreement as the one Austin Griffin entered into last week, Christopher Meeks today plead guilty to capital murder, burglary and robbery in connection with the May 2009 death of Opal Page.

Meeks was sentenced to 3 consecutive life sentences in prison.

CBS-19”s preliminary coverage here.

History & coverage of the Opal Page case here.

Photos By Norm Shafer : ©2010 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Nelson County Sheriff, David Brooks and Deputy Robbie Brooks, lead Austin Griffin (left) and Christopher Meeks (right) into a Nelson Courtroom during a March 2010 hearing. The two are now officially indicted on Capital Murder charges. Click photo to enlarge.

Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia
Austin Griffin & Christopher Meeks have been officially indicted on the charge of capital murder for the May 6, 2009 killing of retired teacher’s aid, Opal Page. The grand jury heard evidence Tuesday morning and handed down what’s called the true bill or indictment. “Ironically, Meeks was in a Nelson court Monday with his lawyers for an unrelated appearance,” said Nelson County Sheriff, David Brooks. Sheriff Brooks department along with the Virginia State Police investigated the crime scene just north of Greenfield along Route 151. Meeks and Griffin were arrested on May 12th days after the murder. Prosecutors and police say the duo are the men responsible.

“The two have been charged with Statutory Burglary, Capitol Murder, and Robbery,” said Debbie Giles, Administrative Assistant, in the Nelson County Commonwealth Attorney’s office. She confirmed the indictments to NCL by telephone Tuesday afternoon.

“Numerous other hearings are in the works now,” Giles continued. The pair is expected to be back in court within the coming weeks to get a firm trial date set. The pair appeared together most recently back in March of 2010.

More on the history and time line of the Opal Page murder by clicking here

All Photos By Norm Shafer : ©2010 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Austin Griffin is led into the Nelson County Courthouse Wednesday afternoon by Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks (left) and Deputy Corey Thacker. Click image to enlarge.

Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia
5:45 PM EDT
After an afternoon in court, both Griffin and Meeks were bound over to the May 25th meeting of the grand jury where evidence will be presented for an indictment. If the indictment or true bill, as it sometimes referred to, is returned, the two will then begin the process for trial in circuit court. Nelson County Sheriff, David Brooks, says some of the afternoon testimony, included the discussion of stab wounds to Opal Page on the day of her murder, in addition to other evidence disclosed.

1:40 PM EDT
Austin Griffin and Christopher Meeks, charged in the May 6, 2009 first degree murder of Opal Page will appear in Nelson General District Court at 2PM today. The pair will appear for a preliminary hearing in connection with the murder of the retired Rockfish River Elementary teacher’s aid.

All previous coverage here.

Christopher Meeks is lead into Nelson General District Court Wednesday afternoon by Sheriff David Brooks (left) and officer Robbie Brooks.

The two were arrested 5 days after the murder in Greenfield and almost immediately charged with the crime.

©2009 NCL Magazine : Opal Page from a Rockfish River Elementary School yearbook picture.

©2009 www.nelsoncountylife.com : Austin Griffin (left) being led into court in May 2009 & Christopher Meeks (right) headed to court in July.

Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia
Defendants charged with the May 6, 2009 murder of Opal Page will not appear in court next week as scheduled. A preliminary hearing for Austin Griffin and Christopher Meeks has once again been postponed until a future date in 2010.

Investigators on the scene of the Opal Page murder May, 6 2009 in the Greenfield Community of Afton, VA.

Both defendants have made a few initial court appearances separately over the past several months, but not together thus far. The most recent appearance was by Christopher Meeks on July 16, 2009. Nelson County Sheriff, David Brooks, tells NCL it will most likely be sometime in 2010 before another court date is selected.

All of the previous coverage on the murder by clicking here.

©2009 www.nelsoncountylife.com : 19 year old Christopher Meeks is escorted by deputies into a Nelson County, Virginia court Thursday. Click on any photo to enlarge.

Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia
On May 7, 2009 Opal Page of Afton was found murdered in her home. Police say 19 year old Christopher Meeks is one of the Nelson County men responsible. Thursday morning, Meeks was escorted from an Albermarle jail cell to circuit court in Lovingston. Meeks’ defense team filed a motion with the court to ask that capital murder defense attorneys be appointed to the case as well. A motion, according to law enforcement authorities, that was denied by Judge J. Michael Gamble. It was a technical motion that will most likely be heard by the court again at a later date.

Meeks and 19 year old Austin Griffin were charged with the first degree murder of Opal Page, a retired school teacher’s aide at Rockfish River Elementary School in Afton, Virginia. Authorities developed the case against the pair rather quickly and made the arrests four days later on May 11th. The two have remained in jail without bond as the case preparation continues by the VA Commonwealth Attorney’s Office.

©2009 www.nelsoncountylife.com : 19 year-old Austin Griffin is led to a bond hearing on May 11th after his arrest, by Sheriff David Brooks.(right) Inv. Becky Adcock, Capt. Ron Roberson, and Inv Paul McCormick accompany Griffin.

©2009 NCL Magazine : VA State Police Investigators at the scene of Opal Page's murder May 7th.

Both Meeks and Griffin are scheduled to be in court again in late September 2009.

All previous coverage and history on this story by clicking here.

©2009 NCL Magazine : Photo By Tommy Stafford : Austin Griffin being led to a Nelson County Court last month on the day of his arrest May 11th.

Lovingtson
Nelson County, Virginia
19 year old Austin Griffin has retained the Charlottesville law firm of St. John, Bowling, Lawrence & Quagliana, LLP in Charlottesville to represent him against the first degree murder of Opal Page on May 6, 2009 in Afton, Virginia. We first told you about the crime as it was unfolding the night of May 6th after friends discovered Mrs Page’s body in her home just north of Greenfield on VA Route 151.

“In a video court hearing Wednesday with General District Court Judge, Joesph Serkes, Francis McQ. Lawrence and Rhonda Quagliana of the law firm said they will be representing Griffin,” says Nelson County, Virginia Sheriff, David Brooks.

Both Griffin and co-defendant, Christopher Meeks are charged with 1st degree murder in the case, along with a list of other crimes in connection with the murder.

Sheriff Brooks tells NCL that it may be several more weeks before any additional action takes place in the case as attorneys meet with their respective clients.

Previous coverage on this story by clicking here.

© 2009 Nelson County life Magazine. Photo by Tommy Stafford. 20 year-old Austin Griffin is led into The Nelson County Courthouse on May 11th by Sheriff David Brooks.(far right) Inv. Becky Adcock, Capt. Ron Roberson, and Inv. Paul McCormick accompany Griffin.

Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia
Updated 2:00 PM EDT 5.20.09
Nelson County Sheriff, David Brooks, tells NCL Wednesday afternoon that Austin Griffin’s case has been continued until June 3rd. “Griffin asked the court for a continuance in the case until then to allow more time to secure his own attorney,” the sheriff tells NCL.

Both Griffin and Meeks are currently jailed without bond.

More updates as we have them.

{Previous post from early morning}
According to Nelson County Sheriff, David Brooks, 20 year old Austin Griffin seen in this photo is scheduled to appear via video conference before a Nelson County judge sometime Wednesday. Griffin is charged along with 18 year-old Christopher Meeks in the May 6, 2009 1st degree murder of Opal Page in Afton, Virginia. Meeks was appointed an attorney by the court last week, while Griffin indicated he would seek private counsel. Sheriff Brooks said as of late Tuesday evening no attorney had contacted the court, so Griffin will most likely appear before a judge Wednesday to have an attorney formerly appointed by the court.

Additional hearings are scheduled in the coming weeks.

You can view all of the previous coverage on this story by clicking here.

© 2009 Nelson County Life. Austin Griffin (left, from previous arrest photo) and Christopher Meeks are charged with 1st degree murder in the death of Opal Page.

Charlottesville
Albemarle County, Virginia
Austin Griffin and Christopher Meeks remain in a Charlottesville jail this afternoon following a video hearing in front of Nelson County General District Court Judge Joe Serkes. Griffin’s family indicated to the court they would be hiring their own attorney to represent Griffin. Griffin’s attorney, however, had not contacted the court as of early Wednesday afternoon, according to Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks. Because of this, Judge Serkes granted a one week continuation of the hearing.

Meeks was appointed Charlottesville attorney David Heilberg to represent him.

Griffin and Meeks are expected to appear in court again next week. They are both charged with the 1st degree murder of Opal Page, a retired Rockfish River Elementary School teacher’s aide.

Previous coverage here.

©2009 NCL Magazine : Photo By Yvette Stafford : Flowers have been placed as a memorial outside the home of Opal Page in Afton, Virginia after her May 6th murder.

Afton
Nelson County, Virginia
By Tommy Stafford
I didn’t know Opal Page. I wish I had. I knew so many people like she was described to me when growing up back in rural West Tennessee . This has been a tough week for all of us in Nelson and nearby. This is where we live, our home. Whether you were born and raised here, or if you moved here later in life, like we did, the realization that bad things happen to good people is alive and well. Opal was a good person. No. A great person. I didn’t have to know her to know that. Just ask anyone. What a tribute to a wonderful woman with such a tragic ending. Adults with their own children now, smile with tears in their eyes, remembering Mrs. Page and the effect she had on them when they were just children only a few years ago.

It’s so true how you view things differently once you have your own child. I look at our 7 month old and wonder how someone so innocent can turn out so different just a couple of decades later. There’s a triple tragedy here. No one wins. Three families have been forever changed. No birthday, no Christmas, no anniversary will ever be the same. Someone will always be missing.

It’s been tough for Yvette and me to decide where to be in the coverage on this sad, sad, event. Nelson County is such a beautiful place. Peaceful. Serene. Home. On the one hand we try to promote the good here and leave the bad behind. But, at the same time you are our neighbors, our friends, our family. If you knew about something that might harm us, I’d want you to let us know. We wanted you to know what was happening by the minute this past week. That’s why we felt it important to cover this story from the time it happened one week ago today, until the time the suspects were apprehended on Monday.

I didn’t know David Brooks until I met him back in the old Ashely’s Market in 2004. Having run for sheriff myself almost 20 years ago in Tennessee, I immediately became interested when David told me he was running for Sheriff one day here. I liked David, but knew nothing about him. I knew he was a man of integrity. He wasn’t about pomp and circumstance, he simply loved Nelson where he grew up and he loved the people living here. They are his friends, his family too. Sheriff Brooks lost a member of his Nelson family last week. He and his staff made a personal committment to find the people responsible for Mrs. Page’s murder. Having been a former lawman myself, their work wasn’t just good folks, it was exemplary. Catching both suspects in less than a week is a tremendous accomplishment. Thank these men and women in the Nelson County Sheriff’s Department. Thank the men and women in the other agencies that pitched in to apprehend the two suspects. No, they don’t always get it right on everything, but they did this time when it really counted.

There’s not much I can say that hasn’t been said over the past week. If you have been reading our comments section, you have seen a wide range of emotions from the civil, to the vulgar. All of our Nelson family is hurting, regardless of who you are.

I know this week I held my wife and son just a little bit tighter. And I know that as I drive north out of Greenfield toward Afton I feel something missing. Though we never knew you personally Mrs. Page, we miss you already. Bad. Nelson has lost a precious member of its family.

We continue to follow the story here.

©2009 NCL Magazine : Nelson Investigator Becky Adcock, Waynesboro Investigator Paul McCormick, and Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks, escort 20 year old Austin Griffin to a Monday bond hearing in Lovingston, Virginia

Lovingston
Nelson County, Virginia
©2009 NCL Magazine
As NCL first reported Monday afternoon, two Nelson men remain behind bars without bond, charged with the 1st degree murder of 73 year old Opal Page of Afton, Virginia. Earlier Tuesday, Nelson Sheriff David Brooks confirmed to NCL that he was confident the murder weapon used in Mrs. Page’s homicide had been recovered in nearby Waynesboro, Virginia.

This afternoon Sheriff Brooks confirmed more evidence had been gathered. “This greatly strengthens our case again the two individuals charged with Mrs. Page’s murder,” said Sheriff Brooks. Though he would not elaborate on exactly what was found, the sheriff told NCL the pieces of evidence found are of high value in the case against Griffin pictured above, and 18 year old Christopher Meeks charged with the same crime.

More updates as we have them.

Complete news history of this case by clicking here.

©2009 NCL Magazine : 20 year old Austin Griffin is lead to a bond hearing Monday afternoon by Augusta County Investigator, Paul McCormick and Nelson Sheriff David Brooks on the far right. Click on any image for larger view.

Afton
Nelson County, Virginia
©2009 NCL Magazine

All photos and material ©2009 NCL Magazine and may not be used without direct and linked attribution to www.nelsoncountylife.com

Update: 5.12.09 10:20 AM EDT
Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks confirmed to NCL moments ago that his agency has recovered what they believe to be the murder weapon in Waynesboro, VA…more shortly.

Earlier post from this morning
Nelson County Life first broke the story of Opal Page’s brutal murder last Wednesday night on May 6th as the crime was unfolding. Yesterday we broke the arrest of the two young men police say killed Opal Page. Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks confirmed that 18 year-old Christopher Meeks of Shipman and 20 year-old Austin Griffin of Crawford’s View have been charged with 1st Degree Murder of Mrs. Page. Both sit in the Albermarle Justice Complex without bond awaiting a Wednesday court hearing.

Monday interview above with Nelson County Sheriff, David Brooks, shortly after the arrest of the pair.

© 2009 Nelson County Life. Austin Griffin (left, from previous arrest photo) and Christopher Meeks are charged with 1st degree murder in the death of Opal Page.

Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks is interviewed by an NBC-29 news crew Monday evening in Lovingston, Virginia

Rumors swirled early Monday that the pair had been arrested, but the actual arrest didn’t take place until later in the day. Meeks was picked up on Misty Hollow Road in Amherst County; Griffin was picked up in the Paul’s Creek area near his home in Nelson County.

©2009 NCL Magazine : Opal Page from a Rockfish River Elementary School yearbook picture.

A witness interviewed within a day or so of the murder reported seeing two suspicious males near the driveway of Mrs. Page’s home just north of Greenfield the day of the murder.

©2009 NCL Magazine : Opal Page's green '98 Malibu was found by Waynesboro Police late Thursday afternoon in their city.

It’s believed the pair stole Mrs. Page’s 1998 Chevy Malibu after the murder and then abandoned it in nearby Waynesboro, Virginia. Police recovered the car, seen above, the next day.

In addition to the 1st degree murder charge, Meeks and Griffin have been charged with petty larceny, grand larceny, and burglary.

Click here for previous coverage of the Page murder case.

© 2009 Nelson County life Magazine. Photo by Tommy Stafford. 20 year-old Austin Griffin is led to a bond hearing by Sheriff David Brooks.(right) Inv. Becky Adcock, Capt. Ron Roberson, and Inv. Paul McCormick accompany Griffin.

Afton
Nelson County, Virginia
©2009 NCL Magazine
EXCLUSIVE
Nelson County Sheriff David Brooks just confirmed to Nelson County Life Magazine that two males have been arrested and charged with the brutal murder of 73 year-old Opal Page last week here in Nelson County, Virginia. Just moments ago Sheriff Brooks told NCL that 18 year-old Christopher Meeks of Shipman and 20 year-old Austin Griffin of Crawford’s View have been charged with 1st Degree Murder of Mrs. Page.

© 2009 Nelson County Life. Austin Griffin (left, from previous arrest photo) and Christopher Meeks are charged with 1st degree murder in the death of Opal Page.

The sheriff had interviewed the two earlier and rumors swirled that they had been arrested. Late in the day Monday, Meeks was picked up on Misty Hollow Road in Amherst County; Griffin was picked up in the Paul’s Creek area near home in Nelson County.

©2009 NCL Magazine : Opal Page from a Rockfish River Elementary School yearbook picture.

A witness interviewed within a day or so of the murder reported seeing two suspicious males near the driveway of Mrs. Page’s home just north of Greenfield the day of the murder.

©2009 NCL Magazine : Opal Page's green '98 Malibu was found by Waynesboro Police late Thursday afternoon in their city.

It’s believed the pair stole Mrs. Page’s 1998 Chevy Malibu after the murder and then abandoned it in nearby Waynesboro, Virginia. Police recovered the car, seen above, the next day.

In addition to the 1st degree murder charge, Meeks and Griffin have been charged with petty larceny, grand larceny, and burglary.

More information will be forthcoming, and we’ll have it up as soon as it’s available.

Click here for previous coverage of the Page murder case.