Bobby Ray “Trey” Landman III to remain in custody until he is tried in second degree murder case
by Jackie Nunnery –
Bobby Ray “Trey” Landman III will remain in custody at Northern Neck Regional Jail until he is tried on charges of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. The charges are related to the shooting death of Seth Clements Dutton, 41, who was originally from Pinero in Gloucester County but was living in Horse Head when he was killed on March 29.
While arguing for bond Monday, April 8, in Northumberland County Circuit Court, defense attorney Anna Lindemann noted Landman’s connection to the community and employment as well as maintaining the shooting itself was an act of self-defense. According to Lindemann, Dutton aimed a gun at Landman’s fiancée, which lead to an escalation with Landman “encouraging Seth to come out and fight” as well as “firing two shots into the ground.” She further alleged that Dutton “snuck around” to the neighboring property, then “lunged at and struck Trey.” Landman then “unholstered his gun and warned Seth” before shooting him when Landman said Seth reached for his gun. Lindemann maintained that her client “did not handle the issue in the best way,” but was “in fear” when Dutton came at him in the dark. “This is a manslaughter case at max,” she said.
Northumberland Commonwealth’s Attorney Jane Wrightson told Judge R. Michael McKenney that based on the use of a firearm and weight of the evidence, she recommended bond be denied. “He was armed and had been drinking, he calls out the victim, fires shots even after Shawn told him to go home,” she said, referring to Landman’s cousin, Shawn Ellis, who lived next door to Dutton. “He was unable to control his emotions and shot an unarmed man.”
While denying bond, McKenney said he had no concerns about whether Landman would show up to court, but whether he posed “risks to himself, family or community.” He first addressed the issue of firearms.
“This is just chaos,” McKenney said. “I don’t understand what is wrong with us as a society. Common sense would tell you to call the police but instead we have a series of events that leads to the death of a man.”
McKenney added, “there were attempts to intervene, but (Landman) decided he is the law.”
He also noted Landman’s “inability to make good judgment and abuse of alcohol,” which “raises serious questions to the safety of the community.”
A preliminary hearing has been set for June 3 in Northumberland County General District Court.
