Richards v. Commonwealth

Opinion

KOONTZ, J.

Randy Craig Richards (Richards) appeals his conviction in a bench trial for carrying a concealed weapon, third offense, in violation of Code § 18.2-308. Richards contends that the trial court erred in finding that the knife he was carrying, though visible by common observation, was concealed because it was deceptive in appearance. We agree and reverse Richards’s conviction.

At trial, Officer B.L. Royer (Royer) of the Lynchburg City Police Department testified that, while investigating an assault in which Richards was the victim, Royer observed an object sticking one-half to…