RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — An attorney for a Virginia lawmaker says her client did not assault family members in his home and won’t resign from office.
Media outlets report that attorney Nicole Belote said in a statement Tuesday that state Del. Rick Morris “adamantly denies” the allegations and is confident the legal process will reveal the truth. Morris did not appear in person Tuesday morning for an arraignment.
Morris was arrested last week on 14 counts including felony cruelty and injuries to children and misdemeanor domestic assault of an adult female family member.
On Saturday, top Republicans, including House Speaker William Howell, asked Morris to resign. Belote says Morris “respects” the request, but won’t resign. She says Morris knows he is innocent and believes in the legal process.