Deputy's wife pleads not guilty

Canosa pleads not guilty, but judge again denies bail

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BY ROBIN KNEPPER

Date published: 4/30/2010

BY ROBIN KNEPPER

Brenda Lee Canosa pleaded not guilty yesterday to a murder charge in the shooting death of her estranged husband, Orange County sheriff's investigator Bob Canosa.

But the judge refused to set bail after the prosecutor described the defendant as a threat to others.

Bob Canosa, 55, was shot five times outside his Unionville home Dec. 11 with a revolver that was left at the scene. He died Dec. 20.

He identified his wife as his assailant before he succumbed to his wounds, according to testimony from fellow Sheriff's Office deputies and State Police investigators.

After pleading not guilty to charges of first-degree murder and using a firearm in commission of a felony, Brenda Canosa, 49, again asked for bail.

But Circuit Judge Daniel R. Bouton denied the request and set an Oct. 4 trial date. She will continue to be held at the Central Virginia Regional Jail in Orange.

After the trial date had been set, defense attorney Chris Leibig told Bouton that he would file a motion within two weeks asking that the trial be moved to another locality.

Bouton set a May 14 deadline for that motion and said any remaining pretrial motions had to be filed by June 25. He then set aside Aug. 5 to hear all pretrial motions.

In an unsuccessful attempt to get bail for Brenda Canosa, defense attorney Dana Slater called two friends of her client, Debbie and Mark Baker, to testify that they would be willing to secure Canosa's bond with property they own in Culpeper County.

Slater also suggested house arrest under conditions set by the court to ensure public safety. Canosa's 22-year-0ld daughter, Caitlin, offered to be her mother's custodian, with help from Canosa's 20-year-old son, Joseph.

Commonwealth's Attorney Diana Wheeler argued that "not only was there a presumption against bail in cases such as this," but the nature of the case and the danger to the public would preclude it.

Slater called the case against Canosa "circumstantial" and noted that the investigation into it is not complete.

"Danger to anyone else is far-fetched," she said.

"Danger is not far-fetched to those she thinks were involved with her husband," Wheeler countered. "There are people who are very much in fear for their lives."

When Canosa first asked for bail Feb. 22, Wheeler described Brenda Canosa as exhibiting "classic stalking behavior."

"She thinks other deputies were on his side during the marital split," said Wheeler. "She made allegations about his relationship with a female deputy."

Yesterday, Wheeler told the court there is evidence that Canosa had assaulted her husband with a hammer, had purchased a tracking device, and broke into his apartment--calling him from there to boast of it.

Robin Knepper: 540/972-5701
Email: rknepper@earthlink.net

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Date published: 4/30/2010

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