Orndorff murder trial to resume in March
MANASSAS — After months of receiving mental health treatments at a state hospital, a Catharpin woman convicted of killing her husband appeared in court Friday. A March 5 date was scheduled for her trial to resume.
Janice Larue Orndorff, 54, was convicted of second-degree murder in connection with the March 20, 2000, shooting of husband Goering Gustav Orndorff, 47, at their home in Catharpin.
After her conviction in May 2001, she was ruled not competent to understand court proceedings.
She was treated at Central State Hospital near Petersburg, where doctors determined Jan. 4 that she has been restored to competency.
Prince William Circuit Court Judge LeRoy F. Millette Jr. scheduled a hearing next month on Orndorffs competency. If Millette determines the trial can proceed, the jury that convicted Orndorff will return March 5 to hear evidence on sentencing and make a recommendation.
Orndorff cried in court Friday, saying: “Judge Millette, why are you letting them do this to me, I havent done anything wrong.”
The judge told her she may want to consult with her attorneys before addressing him in court.
Orndorff faces up to 40 years for the murder conviction. She was later charged with assaulting a sheriffs deputy, and will appear in court Monday on that charge.