VIRGINIA BRIEFING

VA. TECH AFTERMATH

Meetings Focus On College Safety

Dozens of college and law enforcement officials from across Virginia gathered in Richmond yesterday for a day-long conference to examine how to bolster safety on college campuses.

The meeting, sponsored by Gov. Timothy M. Kaine (D), included workshops, seminars and information from vendors promoting the latest in campus safety, including devices to quickly alert students and faculty members of an emergency.

Kaine organized the meeting after parents of those killed in the April 16 Virginia Tech massacre raised concerns about campus safety. Student Seung Hui Cho killed 32 people that day in Blacksburg before shooting himself.

Kaine said yesterday that officials should share ideas and "unique solutions" to keeping colleges safe during the coming school year.

-- Tim Craig

CHARLOTTESVILLE AREA

Man Charged in Rapes

Police yesterday arrested an Albemarle County man who they said may be linked to a decade-long series of rapes in the Charlottesville area.

Nathan A. Washington, 40, has been charged in connection with two attacks and is a suspect in several others blamed on an unidentified serial rapist, officials said. He cuts meat at a grocery store and delivers newspapers.

Albemarle County police charged Washington with attempted rape, breaking and entering in the daytime with intent to commit rape and attempted sodomy in an attack that occurred Aug. 18, 2004. Charlottesville police charged him with rape and breaking and entering with the intent to commit rape in an attack Nov. 11, 2002.

Officials have said that DNA evidence pointed to the same suspect in seven sexual attacks since 1997, including the two in which Washington was charged.

-- Associated Press

VIRGINIA BEACH

Deportation in Fatal DWI

An illegal immigrant pleaded guilty yesterday to involuntary manslaughter in the deaths of two Virginia Beach teens who were killed when his car crashed into theirs at a stoplight.

Alfredo Ramos, 22, faces up to 40 years in prison on the two counts, then deportation.

"I'm guilty, Judge, of all the charges," the Mexican immigrant told the court, speaking through a translator.

Police say Ramos's blood-alcohol level was three times the legal limit for driving in Virginia when, on March 30, he slammed into the car carrying Alison Kunhardt, 17, and Tessa Tranchant, 16. Police believe he was driving about 65 mph, 20 mph over the speed limit.

The case sparked an uproar in the Hampton Roads area and beyond as critics questioned why Ramos -- who had numerous alcohol-related charges -- was allowed on the road.

-- Associated Press