GUILTY VA - Alexa Cannon, 20, stabbed to death, Radford University, 24 Jan 2019 *classmate arrested*

[realanastasia]

Oh, on Cannon's IG there's a post from December 2018 where she wrote "You were my cup of tea, I drink champagne now [champagne glasses emoji]" and her sister wrote, "Bye, femme"--so it doesn't seem far-fetched to imagine that Cannon's comment was directed towards Cutting (which fits in with the reports the two had been having difficulties in their friendship just prior to the murder). The photo on this post may be of Cutting, but I truly have a hard time telling them apart in some of the photos here.

I could imagine Cutting seeing this post as a form of public humiliation, which certainly couldn't have done much to improve the already rocky relationship. between the girls...

 

[katydid23]

I interpret Cannon's statement a good deal differently (less ominously): many college-bound HS seniors get acquainted with their future classmates (and often their dorm mates/roommates as well) online, both on their school's "official" social media networks and SM groups that are privately organized for incoming students or current students at a school.

The "mothering" comment I took to mean that Cutting was on the lookout for Cannon's wellbeing when they were abroad; I am a college professor and when I hear female students say about other female friends "She was totally like my mom at the party last night," my understanding is that the friend was diligently watching out for them and keeping them from doing anything stupid while inebriated and/or being preyed upon by others. (It's still possible that Cutting took this "mothering" behavior to an extreme, but among American college women a moderately-practiced form of it is pretty common behavior [thank heavens]).

The throwaway comment about "killing each other": 100% agree it's super-creepy in hindsight, but the phrase is one I've heard used even by people in very stable, non-volatile friendships and romantic relationships. In my experience it's been said as a way to downplay or make light of a petty disagreement, or as a way to acknowledge that the friends/partners have strongly different perspectives/personalities. Of course, this doesn't preclude the possibility that Cannon meant it more literally...

I would agree with all of the above, except for the fact that one friend stabbed the other one to death, leaving the weapon sticking out of her mouth, and waiting for the police to arrive, and immediately confessing. That is very odd and troubling behavior.

So I don't think she was just 'mothering' her friend in a moderately practiced way. My grown daughter has 2 very best friends and they do 'mother' each other when out at night, for safety, much as you described. But I feel something more nefarious here, although it may be 20/20 hindsight.

Especially with the comment made in that recent post---'Bye Femme'

That is an obvious reference toCutting being overtly interested in being more than friends, in my opinion. JMO

 

[realanastasia]

Especially with the comment made in that recent post---'Bye Femme'

That is an obvious reference toCutting being overtly interested in being more than friends, in my opinion. JMO

I feel a bit dense asking this, but what about that particular comment gives you that impression? The only thing I could guess is that you referred to the use of the word “femme”—is that it?

I’m aware that the word “femme” has historically been used to identify or describe certain “types” of queer women, but my impression is that the term is less commonly-used in today’s LGBTQ+ community, particularly among its younger members. I have also noticed the word being used on clothing in stores like Forever 21, Wetseal, etc. as just as a synonym for “girl,” so (much as I’d love to believe that’s trend is some kind of covert marketing scheme directed at stylish gay ladies like myself) I think there’s widespread use of it in that context rather than the LGBTQ context.

I’m with you on the knife in the mouth, though—seems to me that it speaks to some kind of sublimated sexual desire on the murderer’s part. Where’s Sigmund Freud when you need him?!

 

[katydid23]

I feel a bit dense asking this, but what about that particular comment gives you that impression? The only thing I could guess is that you referred to the use of the word “femme”—is that it?

I’m aware that the word “femme” has historically been used to identify or describe certain “types” of queer women, but my impression is that the term is less commonly-used in today’s LGBTQ+ community, particularly among its younger members. I have also noticed the word being used on clothing in stores like Forever 21, Wetseal, etc. as just as a synonym for “girl,” so (much as I’d love to believe that’s trend is some kind of covert marketing scheme directed at stylish gay ladies like myself) I think there’s widespread use of it in that context rather than the LGBTQ context.

I’m with you on the knife in the mouth, though—seems to me that it speaks to some kind of sublimated sexual desire on the murderer’s part. Where’s Sigmund Freud when you need him?!

You are more in touch with college kids than I am now. My kids are in their mid-twenties. And my nieces and nephews in their 2o's and early 30's. I did not know that 'femme' is now used as a term for girl. I took it as it used to be used.

You may very well be correct that it was just a fight between 2 college girls. Maybe 'Bye Femme' is a new way of saying 'Bye Felicia.'

I may be over analyzing it. Time will tell, as hopefully more info will be revealed. It is very frightening, no matter what the motive is. No one expects a college girl to be brutally killed by her roommate like that. ....ugh...both families must be devastated.

 

[wyome]

This case really shook me. Most can remember college roommates at one time or another that were thrown together with us that were weird or off, but 99.999% of the time we just move on and it's character building in a sense. It's a big world out there and we all need to learn how to get along with people/bosses/co-workers that have different views/temperaments. But this....this tragedy is just crazy. I've said this before, but it bares repeating...young people today have WAY less coping skills than previous generations. I don't know why; I just know that it seems to be true.

I can't help but be reminded of Nicole Lovell, and her senseless execution at the hands of two Virginia Tech college students. That murder is even an option in these young people's minds at all scares the crap out of me.

Who stabs someone, seriously? And a friend no less.

I'm sure the defense attorney is going to shift the blame on Cannon and twist this to be a case of self-defense because the victim's dead and their backs' are against the wall at this point. God bless the parents of Alexa, because the grace they showed was beautiful. Now I hope they are spared further trauma by having this killer just plead guilty and throw herself on the mercy of the court.

 

[Niner]

I haven't seen in any of the articles posted, but might have missed it - does anyone know "what county" this is in? I google what county Radford University is in - and it said Montgomery County. I looked in both the circuit & regular counties, but I don't come up with anything on Cutting. Trying to find a court date for her.

Anyone? TIA!

 

[SandyQLS]

I haven't seen in any of the articles posted, but might have missed it - does anyone know "what county" this is in? I google what county Radford University is in - and it said Montgomery County. I looked in both the circuit & regular counties, but I don't come up with anything on Cutting. Trying to find a court date for her.

Anyone? TIA!

Virginia Courts Case Information (Circuit)

You win - best question! Seriously, it's confusing. Radford is some kind of independent city in between Montgomery and Pulaski counties. All three have their own circuit courts. I cannot find her case under Cutting, Harris, Harris-Cutting or Tudela in any of those three courts either. It's Virginia.... I have no idea, but this link about VA courts means the case may still be pending in some magistrate court?

Virginia's Court System

Magistrate Services
Serving the Commonwealth through offices in all 32 judicial districts, the magistrate’s primary functions are to conduct probable cause hearings on complaints of criminal conduct brought by law enforcement or the general public and to determine whether an arrested person is eligible for bail.

 

[Niner]

Thank you for checking that out SandyQLS! I still don't see her anywhere....

 

[SandyQLS]

Thank you for checking that out SandyQLS! I still don't see her anywhere....

It's a mystery. I did find her as an inmate in the New River Valley Regional Jail. The jail has one of those Magistrate offices, and serves City of Radford, Montgomery Co. and Pulaski Co., and a few other counties.

Cutting, Luisa Ines
http://iml.nrvrj.org:8085/IML

 

[Simply Southern]

Virginia Courts Case Information (Circuit)

You win - best question! Seriously, it's confusing. Radford is some kind of independent city in between Montgomery and Pulaski counties. All three have their own circuit courts. I cannot find her case under Cutting, Harris, Harris-Cutting or Tudela in any of those three courts either. It's Virginia.... I have no idea, but this link about VA courts means the case may still be pending in some magistrate court?

Virginia's Court System

Magistrate Services
Serving the Commonwealth through offices in all 32 judicial districts, the magistrate’s primary functions are to conduct probable cause hearings on complaints of criminal conduct brought by law enforcement or the general public and to determine whether an arrested person is eligible for bail.

Here is link to VA Court System
Virginia's Court System

The case is under General District RADFORD, Just use last name Cutting.

Next court date 06.13.2019. Murder 2nd Degree... Preliminary

 

[SandyQLS]

Here is link to VA Court System
Virginia's Court System

The case is under General District RADFORD, Just use last name Cutting.

Next court date 06.13.2019. Murder 2nd Degree... Preliminary

Thank you for finding that!

Case#GC19000253-00

*
Okay, this link explains why the case is currently in General District Court and not yet in Circuit Court (where I was searching since it is a major felony):

https://virginialawfirm.net/virginia-court-system.html

"...Most cases in the Commonwealth of Virginia originate in the general district court. This is a court not of record, which means is that there is no court-employed court reporter taking notes or creating transcripts of the happenings in the general district court. ...

...While the general district court is the trial court for misdemeanors, it cannot conduct a trial for guilt or innocence in a felony matter. Instead, circuit courts are the trial courts for all felony matters. In addition, circuit courts are the only courts in Virginia in which you have the constitutional right to a jury trial. ..." more at link

*

Thanks again!

 

[Niner]

Thank you ALL for your efforts & successes in finding info on this case!

Much appreciated!

 

[Niner]

Thursday, June 13th:
*Preliminary Hearing (@ 10am ET) - VA – Alexa Cannon (20) (Jan. 24, 2019, Radford University) – *Luisa Ines Tudela Harris Cutting (21) arrested & charged (1/24/19) with 2nd degree murder. Held without bond.
1/25/19: Appointed an attorney. 4/11/19 Update: Preliminary hearing set for 6/13.

 

[Niner]

Hearing Information
Date Time Result Type Courtroom Plea Continuance
09/05/2019 10:00 AM PRELIMINARY

06/13/2019 10:00 AM CONTINUED PRELIMINARY BY AGREEMENT

link: Virginia Judiciary Online Case Information System

 

[Niner]

Thursday, Sept. 5th:
*Preliminary Hearing (@ 10am ET) - VA – Alexa Cannon (20) (Jan. 24, 2019, Radford University) – *Luisa Ines Tudela Harris Cutting (21) arrested & charged (1/24/19) with 2nd degree murder. Held without bond.
1/25/19: Appointed an attorney. 4/11/19 Update: Preliminary hearing set for 6/13. 6/13/19: Preliminary hearing continued to 9/5.

 

[Simply Southern]

Former Radford student accused of killing roommate to appear in court

Few details have been released about the crime since January. Search warrants were filed for both women's cell phones. Records show Cannon's phone called 911 during the incident, but Cutting's phone was not found at the scene of the crime.

 

[NervousNellie]

Thanks for the updates, @Niner and @Simply Southern !

 

[Niner]

from the article in post #36:

A former Radford University student charged with killing her roommate waived her right to a preliminary hearing while in court Thursday, the day the hearing was to have been held.

She has another grand jury court date set for September 13; a trial date will be set then.

Her attorney, Blair Howard, says Luisa Cutting suffers from a mental illness, but isn't commenting on whether she has had a mental evaluation.

 

[Simply Southern]

Former Radford student accused of killing roommate waives hearing

 

[Niner]

Friday, Sept. 13th:
*Grand Jury Hearing (@ am ET) - VA – Alexa Cannon (20) (Jan. 24, 2019, Radford University) – *Luisa Ines Tudela Harris Cutting (21) arrested & charged (1/24/19) with 2nd degree murder. Held without bond.
Confessed to the crime.
1/25/19: Appointed an attorney. 4/11/19 Update: Preliminary hearing set for 6/13. 6/13/19: Preliminary hearing continued to 9/5.
9/5/19 Update: Cutting waived her right to a preliminary hearing while in court Thursday, the day the hearing was to have been held. She has another grand jury court date set for Sept. 13; a trial date will be set then. Her attorney, Blair Howard, says Cutting suffers from a mental illness, but isn't commenting on whether she has had a mental evaluation.