Police Brief 11/26

Waynesboro

Evidence problems and the death of a primary witness led authorities to drop the perjury charge against Emil Steidel, 61, of Waynesboro, said Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Robin Boylan.

Tangled in charges of lying and thieving, Steidel left town early last year but never stopped looking back.

With a son awaiting trial in a fatal wreck and his wife charged for obstructing authorities in the case, he kept an eye on proceedings while felony charges mounted against him for dodging court.

Steidel still faces a felony charge of failure to appear in court on a felony charge.

Augusta County

Irene M. Mitchell, 84, of Churchville died Sunday. A grand jury in October certified charges that her adopted son, Robert, neglected and stole from her. He’s scheduled to appear before an Augusta County Circuit Court judge for his trial Dec. 16.