Capital murder charge reduced for Dove

Albemarle County prosecutors this afternoon reduced a capital murder charge against a Louisa County man to first-degree murder.

Daniel Dove, 28, is charged in connection with the Sept. 30 shooting death of 17-year-old Emilio Morales at Autumn Hill Apartments on Commonwealth Drive.

The capital murder charge Dove faced was reduced after investigators turned up new information, according to Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Darby Lowe.

“Investigators came across information in an unrelated matter that reflected on [the charge] and that led to follow-up interviews and investigations,” Lowe told Judge Dwight D. Johnson, of the Albemarle Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court. “Upon review of the information, the commonwealth’s attorney decided that capital murder was not indicated, that the charges should be first-degree murder.”

Capital murder involves willful, deliberate and premeditated murder in the com-mission of an abduction, robbery, rape or other serious felony, or under other circumstances such as the willful and premeditated killing of a police officer, judge, juvenile, or pregnant woman, among others. Convictions may carry a prison sentence of life, or the death penalty.

First-degree murder is a killing committed willfully, with malice, deliberation and premeditation. It carries a prison sentence of between five and 40 years.

“The change from capital murder to first-degree murder does not reflect on the facts of the case nor our ability to prosecute [Dove],” said Denise Lunsford, Albemarle County commonwealth’s attorney. “The change simply reflects information that indicates that capital murder is not the correct charge. We want to assure that the defendant is treated fairly.”

Dove is charged with malicious wounding, attempted robbery and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony as well as first-degree murder.
According to authorities, a man showed up at Morales’ apartment around 11:20 p.m. and got into a fight. The man shot Morales and two other men before leaving, police said.

Authorities identified Dove as a suspect and he was arrested Oct. 21 in Hyattsville, Md., after police picked up one of his associates.