BEDFORD, Va. – UPDATE
The charges against Joseph Walker were nolle prosequi, meaning Bedford County will not be prosecuting Walker.
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According to Bedford County Commonwealth’s Attorney Wes Nance, this is because after a thorough investigation by Virginia State Police, along with other law enforcement agencies, it was discovered that the alleged homicide did not occur within Bedford County.
Bedford County has discontinued its prosecution of Walker, and the jurisdiction of the incident will change to federal court.
UPDATE
Joseph Walker is set to have a jury trial on Dec. 11 at 9 a.m. in the Bedford County Circuit Court.
Jonathan Bell, who was charged with accessory after the fact-homicide, goes before the Grand Jury in Bedford County Circuit Court on July 28 at 9 a.m.
ORIGINAL STORY
The trial date has been set for a Roanoke man charged with killing a man found in a burned car, according to Wes Nance, Bedford County Commonwealth’s Attorney.
Joseph Walker has been indicted on the following in the death of Ethan Bert: aggravated murder (murder in the commission of a robbery), use of a firearm in the commission of a murder, robbery, use of a firearm in the commission of a robbery, possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, arson of personal property, and transportation, secreting or alteration of a dead body.
Walker was originally charged with second-degree murder. He was arrested in Florida, and is now being held at the Western Virginia Regional Jail in Salem.
Investigators said they believe Bert and Walker knew each other.