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    Jurisdiction of Stuarts Draft at issue in murder-for-hire case

    Online Niel Posted on

    STAUNTON – Thomas J. Laguardia Sr., a Stuarts Draft man imprisoned since 2010 after trying to hire a hitman to kill a local couple, was released from Pocahontas State Correctional Center last year after serving 14 years behind bars.

    However, his freedom was short-lived.

    In July 2023, after being released from prison, Laguardia was given a bus ride to the Staunton office of Probation and Parole, where he met with his probation officer. But Laguardia, who received 30 years of probation upon his release from prison, had other ideas.

    “I’m going to cause some trouble here,” he told his probation officer, according to court records. “Because I’m not on probation and I won’t comply.”

    He then insisted he was acquitted of all charges on appeal. Laguardia did appeal his convictions, but it was dismissed in 2011. “He further explained that he was wrongfully incarcerated,” court records show.

    The Chief Probation Officer was brought in to assist and it was explained to Laguardia that they were prepared to provide him with emergency temporary housing. He countered that he would be staying with a friend in Stuarts Draft, but declined to provide an address. Laguardia gave them two phone numbers, but one was out of service and the other was left with a voicemail.

    “The home plan was never verified,” one report said.

    Laguardia disclosed that his ultimate plan was to move to New York, but when he was told that he was not allowed to leave Virginia because of his probation, he again insisted that he was not on probation.

    Based on the seriousness of the charges and the fact that at least one of the victims is still in the area, Laguardia, 72, was held without bail and remained incarcerated while awaiting a revocation hearing on two probation violations .

    In the meantime, he was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation. After an evaluation with a psychologist, Laguardia was referred to restorative services, where a doctor reported that he believed he was claiming incompetence. Since then, he has twice refused to meet with the original psychologist in an ongoing effort to determine his competency.

    Laguardia engages an ‘attack’

    In 2009, the Augusta County Sheriff’s Office was tipped off about a plan involving Laguardia shopping for a hitman to kill a local couple.

    In 2007, court records show Laguardia suffered a stroke. As part of his plan, on the day of the planned murders, he was to admit himself to hospital under the pretense of having problems related to his previous stroke, a prosecutor said at the time.

    Laguardia met with an undercover investigator posing as the killer in a fast food parking lot in Verona. A price of $400 was negotiated. After handing over a $200 down payment, Laguardia gave the fake hitman an address for the couple, but it was the wrong address. People who actually live at the address said they found food crumbs inside a vehicle with the radio on and said their garage had been broken into several times.

    Laguardia back in court

    Appearing in Augusta County Court on Wednesday for a revocation hearing on the probation violation charges, Laguardia immediately asked for a new lawyer and said he wanted an “American lawyer.” Judge Shannon T. Sherrill declined and noted that Laguardia’s attorney, Dana Cormier, is a well-respected legal professional in the area.

    Hard to understand or hear at times, Laguardia told the court he did not need a mental health evaluation. He also said he doesn’t remember spending time in jail and said he doesn’t remember telling his probation officer he won’t be on probation.

    After a brief recess, during which the judge conferred with Cormier and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Alexandra Meador, Laguardia agreed to meet with a psychologist to determine if he is competent to have a revocation hearing.

    Another hearing was set for January 3.

    Laguardia remains at the Middle River Regional Jail in Verona.

    Originally arrested in 2009, the same year he pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted capital murder (manslaughter). In 2010, Laguardia was sentenced to 16 years in prison with credit for time served, along with 30 years of probation.

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    Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Got a news tip? Or something that needs to be investigated? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/she) at [email protected]. You can also follow X (formerly Twitter).

    Stroke?

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