UPDATE: Accomack Co. arsonist enters plea to 61 remaining counts
A five-month arson spree, two years of court proceedings, and 64 total counts all came to a head on Monday in Virginia Beach.
42-year-old Tonya Bundick entered an Alford Plea to all remaining counts against her. This means that she does not admit guilt, but that there is enough evidence to convict her.
She was originally facing her third trial for Count 53, arson, for an abandoned home set on fire in Onancock back in March 2013.
“That was a horrendous crime that they committed over the course of a long period of time,” says Gary Agar, Accomack County Commonwealth Attorney. “She needs to spend a long period of time in the penitentiary because of what she did and to keep others from doing the same thing.”
The plea agreement tacks on another seven years to the 10.5 that Bundick is already serving, bringing the total to 17.5 After getting arrested back on April 2, 2013, we know she has served at least two years behind bars.
Bundick’s newly-appointed attorney, Janee Joslin, would not comment to 47 ABC. However, Agar says, his reasoning is justice for the victims, along with taxpayers’ money.
“She’s been through several attorneys, she’s had two jury trials, also there were a great deal of expenses today preparing for a jury trial,” he says. “The investigation over several months really was unimaginable. We had a group of state police from all over the state here.”
James Sample attended the trial on Monday on behalf of his aunt. She was the owner of the Onancock home that was set on fire.
“It was less about us and the house but more so the community, the community being afraid, terrorized,” he says. “Justice was served this doesn’t have to be dragged out over and over.”
Bundick’s maximum penalty for the counts was 520 years in prison and more than five-million in fines, according to Judge Glen Tyler. When justifying the plea agreement to the courtroom, Agar said, he felt it was the best they could do.
“It was a little sacrifice on the time I might have achieved for her, but everyone has been addressed and the expenditures have basically come to an end.”
Agar spoke with reporters after Monday’s proceedings and said that Bundick can still appeal this decision. She currently has two appeals pending from her first two trials, but there is still no word if she will move forward with those after Monday’s outcome.
Bundick’s co-defendant and fiancée, Charles Smith, is still awaiting sentencing. He pleaded guilty to all 68 counts back in 2013.
