{"id":2577108,"date":"2026-03-06T22:04:02","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T03:04:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/virginia-judge-to-allow-sex-offender-to-question-witnesses-at-trial\/"},"modified":"2026-03-06T22:05:59","modified_gmt":"2026-03-07T03:05:59","slug":"virginia-judge-to-allow-sex-offender-to-question-witnesses-at-trial","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/virginia-judge-to-allow-sex-offender-to-question-witnesses-at-trial\/","title":{"rendered":"Virginia judge to allow sex offender to question witnesses at trial"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fvirginia-judge-to-allow-sex-offender-to-question-witnesses-at-trial%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2577108&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>A Virginia judge has allowed Richard Cox, a transgender man and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/after-latest-arrest-its-clear-that-drag-queen-story-hour-is-a-haven-for-child-predators\/\" title=\"After Latest Arrest, It\u2019s Clear That \u2018Drag Queen Story Hour\u2019 Is A Haven For Child Predators\">registered sex offender<\/a>, to question witnesses at his trial on <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >charges including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/richard-cox-derails-sex-offender-case-once-again\/\" title=\"..., once again\">entering female locker rooms<\/a><\/a> and indecent exposure. Judge Daniel T. Lopez granted Cox the ability to waive the right to depiction on some charges, and Cox will be able to present questions and cross-examine witnesses on the stand, while also submitting written questions for two minor witnesses (16- and 17-year-old lifeguards). The court previously considered admitting letters Cox wrote in 1993, which related to public exposure; the judge will allow the letters to be admitted with redactions, though the Commonwealth must still prove cox\u2019s intent. A closed hearing to seal the letters was denied. The trial is set to begin April 20 and is expected to last about 10 days.The proceedings also touch on Arlington County&#8217;s policy allowing individuals to use restrooms matching their gender identity.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Judge to allow sex offender to question witnesses in Virginia locker room case<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2525322\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p><strong>ARLINGTON, Virginia &ndash; <\/strong>A judge in Virginia will allow <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/videos\/4446535\/transgender-sex-offender-richard-cox-guilty-child-pornography\/\" type=\"post\" id=\"4446535\">Richard Cox<\/a>, a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dem-mayor-hires-convicted-sex-offender-who-raped-teenage-girls-to-inspect-homes-residents-ill-be-terrified\/\" title=\"Dem Mayor Hires Convicted ... Who Raped Teenage Girls To Inspect Homes. Residents: \u2018I\u2019ll Be Terrified\u2019\">registered child sex offender<\/a>, to question witnesses at trial in a case centered in part on allegations of indecent exposure.<\/p>\n<p>Cox is facing dozens of charges in the case, <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4475282\/richard-cox-derails-sex-offender-case-once-again\/\"><em>Commonwealth v. Richard Cox<\/em><\/a>, for entering female locker rooms and allegedly walking around naked for hours. Judge <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/videos\/3844278\/virginia-locker-room-suspect-richard-cox-scolds-judge-preferred-pronouns\/\">Daniel T. Lopez<\/a> agreed on Friday to allow Cox to waive the right to representation on some charges, meaning that during the trial, Cox will make arguments and question witnesses on the stand.<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/white-house\/4484213\/trump-russia-iran-doocy-college-roundtable\/\">Trump says Russia-Iran coordination &#8216;easy problem,&#8217; rips Doocy for &#8216;stupid question&#8217;<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/entertainment\/4484138\/national-symphony-director-kennedy-center-trump\/\">National Symphony director joins Kennedy Center exodus following Trump moves<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/house\/4484075\/gonzales-2026-race-exit-affair-house\/\">Gonzales reelection exit skirts disciplinary headache for Mike Johnson&#8217;s thin majority<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Cox, a biological male, identifies as <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/transgender\/\" type=\"post_tag\" id=\"369\">transgender<\/a> and was able to enter the locker rooms because Arlington County allows people to use the restroom of their gender identity over their biological sex.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A mugshot of Richard K. Cox. (Arlington County Police Department)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>The Commonwealth had argued that witnesses would experience <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/videos\/4445202\/jury-child-porn-richard-cox-trial\/\">serious emotional distress<\/a> if questioned by Cox, who called the argument an &ldquo;absurdity.&rdquo; Cox countered that being barred from cross-examination because &ldquo;an adult saw another adult naked in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/eric-swalwell-dares-tough-guy-greg-gutfeld-to-bench-press-challenge-washington-examiner\/\" title=\"Eric Swalwell dares \u2018tough guy\u2019 Greg Gutfeld to bench press challenge - Washington Examiner\">locker room&#038;rdquo<\/a>; is a &ldquo;slippery slope of violations to due process.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Cox did agree to submit written questions for the two minor witnesses, 16- and 17-year-old lifeguards from Wakefield High School. The school has a pool open to the public for swim classes outside school hours. Adult witnesses whom Cox will be able to question include a mother who had a child under the age of 12 with her and allegedly saw Cox masturbating in the shower.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The judge issued a warning to Cox during Friday&rsquo;s proceedings.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;You want to talk about slippery slopes? You&rsquo;re sliding down the slippery slope to me, either appointing you to represent yourself on everything or nothing,&rdquo; Lopez said. &ldquo;This trial is not going to be an opportunity for you to get on a soapbox and turn your questions into testimony. If it does, I&rsquo;ll hear an objection, and I&rsquo;ll stop you, and if you continue to do it, I will dress you down in front of the jury, and that will be on you, not me, because I am not going to allow you to disrupt this proceeding because you feel you have a political axe to grind.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Back in 1993, Cox wrote to a judge, while in jail, that public exposure and being naked in front of young girls gave Cox sexual gratification. These letters were banned from being used as evidence in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/justice\/4442040\/richard-cox-sex-offender-evidence-thrown-out-before-trial\/\">previous trial<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Cox claimed not to have enough time to prepare for the hearing and requested more time to argue on whether the letters will be admissible in court. The judge reminded the court that Cox filed the motion in January 2026 and refused to delay the hearing.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Richard Cox says he&rsquo;s not prepared to go forward, and I will state for the record, the court is clearly cognizant of the fact that Richard Cox is incarcerated and his obligations, as far as daily duties, are few,&rdquo; Lopez said. &ldquo;He&rsquo;s been given the same amount of time that counsel is usually given to respond to a motion.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>For this trial, Cox wants the letters banned again and asked for a sealed hearing, saying the Commonwealth was using them to defame and create prejudice. The judge, who is noticeably losing patience with Cox, denied a closed hearing.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Richard Cox (Arlington County Adult Detention Center)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&ldquo;[Cox&rsquo;s] right, it is [the commonwealth&rsquo;s] intention. They want to convict him, that&rsquo;s [the prosecution&rsquo;s] job,&rdquo; Lopez said. &ldquo;The evidence in the criminal case is always prejudicial to the defendant, because from the Commonwealth&rsquo;s point of view, it points to guilt and not innocence.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The judge reminded the courtroom that in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/videos\/4443795\/transgender-sex-offender-virginia-child-porn-charges\/\">previous trial<\/a>, Cox made a last-minute motion to self-represent to be able to tell the jury that Cox was sorry.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;In reading your motion, what you wanted to put in front of the jury was inadmissible evidence, all of it,&rdquo; Lopez said. &ldquo;Some of it, so highly prejudicial, it amounted to a confession.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/crime\/4475282\/richard-cox-derails-sex-offender-case-once-again\/\"><strong>RICHARD COX DERAILS SEX OFFENDER CASE, ONCE AGAIN<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This time, the judge will allow the letters to be admitted into evidence and shown to the jury with redactions. The judge said the Commonwealth will still have to prove Cox&rsquo;s intent to the jury.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The trial will begin on April 20 and is expected to last 10 days.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Judge allows sex offender to question witnesses in VA<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2745,"featured_media":2577109,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Cox-Mug-shot.jpeg?w=480","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[50433,72451,4853,5468,4209],"class_list":["post-2577108","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-judge-2","tag-sex-offender-2","tag-trial","tag-virginia","tag-witnesses"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Cox-Mug-shot.jpeg?w=480","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2577108","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2745"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2577108"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2577108\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2577112,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2577108\/revisions\/2577112"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2577109"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2577108"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2577108"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2577108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}