Court to Name Mathews County Lawyer to Defend Ben Fawley

Attorney Says Court Likely To Renew Gag Order in Taylor Behl Murder Case   Jan. 23, 2006.

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By  Seamus McGraw  

(Crime Library) 

Mathews County, Va.

(Jan. 24, 2006) The lawyer who has represented accused killer Ben Fawley since his arrest last fall on a weapon and child pornography charge will in all likelihood take a back seat on the defense team when Fawley's trial begins, Crime Library has learned.

Instead, local Mathews County lawyer Bill Johnson confirmed to Crime Library that he will take the lead in Fawley's first-degree murder trial in the death of Virginia Commonwealth University freshman Taylor Behl. Chris Collins, the veteran lawyer from Richmond who has been Fawley's lawyer since suspicion began gathering around him last fall is expected to assist in the defense on a pro-bono basis. 

In a telephone interview today, Johnson said he expected his first appearance on Fawley's behalf, scheduled for Wednesday morning, would be brief.

"Probably three things are going to happen tomorrow, I will be appointed as counsel for Fawley, a court date will be set and it is highly probable that a gag order will be entered by the court," he said. "It will be a rather expedited exercise."  

The 38-year-old Fawley, who has been held on an unrelated child pornography charge in Richmond was indicted last week on charges of knowingly and purposefully murdering the pretty 17-year-old co-ed. The weapon charge was dismissed after authorities concluded that it might complicate their efforts to use a statement from Fawley in which he allegedly admitted a role in Behl's death.

Behl vanished from the university's Richmond campus not long after the fall term began. Her body — severely decomposed — was found a month later on a farm in rural Mathews County. Fawley had links to that farm.

Area near where Taylor's body was found

Suspicion almost immediately focused on Fawley, who had a brief intimate relationship with the young victim. Against the advice of Collins, his then-attorney, Fawley reportedly told investigators that the young woman had died accidentally during rough sex.

Benjamin Fawley

Behl's family, and prosecutors, have disputed that, maintaining that they believe Fawley intentionally killed Behl, perhaps in anger over her decision to sever their relationship.

Mathews County Courthouse sign

Because Behl's remains were found in Mathews County, a remote and relatively low crime community on the Chesapeake Bay, Fawley is being prosecuted there. His first appearance, scheduled for tomorrow, is being held under heightened security. But there is no guarantee that the case will remain there. According to the Daily Press of Hampton Roads, Va., if Collins remains on the case, the defense might seek a change of venue in the case. Others familiar with the case maintain that such a move is probably unnecessary and is unlikely.

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