Myrna Pride - A Virginia lawmaker who is currently serving prison time for alleged sexual relations with a minor has won a special election to retain his seat in the House of Delegates.
Del. Joseph D. Morrissey, who represents the 74th district, won convincingly on Tuesday after polling about 42.26 percent of the total votes from the 33 precincts. His closest opponent - Democrat Kevin Sullivan - polled about 10 percent less at 33.37 percent, while Republican Matt Walton polled just 24.13 percent of the votes.
Morrissey, who was formerly a Democrat, ran as an independent candidate during the recent polls. The 57-year-old statesman was forced to part ways with the party and resign after he was accused and charged of having sexual relations with a 17-year-old girl, who worked in his law office.
Although the girl Myrna Pride, who is now 18 years old and pregnant, denies having sex with Morrissey, her father Coleman Pride, who has been the chief instigator of the charges, insists otherwise. He featured prominently in the campaigns of Morrissey's opponents during the build-up to the recent elections.
Morrissey stood to be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison and also lose his seat of he was found guilty of engaging in sexual activity with the minor Myrna Pride. But he entered an Alford plea and was sentenced to 6 months in prison for the delinquency of a minor.
Morrissey had a special agreement with the state that saw him leave jail to campaign during day time. Reports indicate that he received the news of his election victory in jail. While speaking on the phone with the press, he indicated that it is an affirmation of his work, saying "Nobody works harder for their constituents than I do."
Meanwhile, House Speaker William J. Howell, as well as members of the Democrat Party, have noted that Morrissey's re-election does not automatically clear him of his crimes. They have also hinted at plans to get him kicked out of the house.
The law offices of Morrissey and Sherri Thaxton were searched just hours before voting officially began on Monday. Reports indicate that Henrico County police officers recovered evidence which could potentially show that Morrissey presented fake documents to the court in relation to an accusation that Coleman Pride failed to make the obligated child support payments for his daughters.
It is unclear how this would affect the case - since the credibility of Coleman Pride was never disproved convincingly. But legal experts say Morrissey could potentially face more time if indeed it is confirmed that he deliberately misled the court.
Meanwhile, Myrna Pride has continued to defend Morrissey, whom she describes as a friend. "The only person that has shown any respect or kindness, or been there for me, is Mr. Morrissey," she said during an interview on Monday.
