January 7, 2006

Hundreds of people turned out in Richmond in honor of a well-known family found slain on New Year's Day. This as police in Pennsylvania captured their alleged killers.

The people arrested were not only arrested for the murder of this family. According to Richmond's police chief, Rodney Monroe, Pennsylvania police arrested two men in the slayings of both multiple murders in Virginia's capital in the past week, giving a sigh of relief to those who remembered one family on early Saturday.

Hundreds of mourners turned out in Downtown Richmond to remember the Harvey family found inside the basement of their home with their throats cut.

"It started off with a somber mood, but many of the speakers reflected that as well as being somber, that we should be rejoicing in their lives. They would have wanted us to remember them with laughter and with happiness," said John Miska, a friend of the family who lives in Charlottesville.

John Miska says everyone thought the world of them. Every one of them were jokers, and had a tremendous sense of humor.

"I don't think there was a person who knew either Bryan, or Kathryn, or Stella, or Ruby who did not think well of them," said Miska.

The deaths of the Harveys marked Richmond's first homicides this year. Richmond police said another family had been found dead on Friday, this time it was Mary and Purcell Tucker, and their adult daughter.

Two suspects believed to be responsible for both slayings were arrested in Pennsylvania. Police Chief Rodney Monroe said 28-year-olds Ray Joseph Dandridge and Ricky Gavon Gray have been charged with conspiracy to commit murder and auto theft. The chief also shares condolences from the police and community.

"The senseless killings of these seven people, two families, was disturbing, not only for the families of the victims, the community, as well as the police department. Our hearts go out to the families of the Baskervilles and the Harveys, as well as the Caspers," said City of Richmond Police Chief Rodney Monroe.

Police in Richmond say the case is steadily evolving. Police also say their purpose of Saturday was to bring forth to the public that their force has put a end to what they consider seven very serious cases in the City of Richmond.

Richmond's homicide toll is already up to nine people this year.