James Ridley, 25, of Camp Springs was shot three times while in his car outside a Subway restaurant on Dec. 30, 2004. Investigators said Ridley had planned to meet James Arness Erby, 28, to buy a gun, but the transaction went awry. Witnesses testified at Erby's trial in January in federal court in Alexandria that Erby was an ecstasy dealer in Spotsylvania.

A jury deliberated less than two hours before convicting Erby of two counts of being a felon in possession of a gun, a count of drug conspiracy and a count of using a gun during a drug crime. U.S. District Judge Claude M. Hilton sentenced Erby to 10 years on each felony charge, 20 years on the drug charge and life on the gun charge.

The Privileges and Elections Committee voted 9 to 5 to accept language offered by Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell (R) over the objections of gay rights advocates, who said the wording violates state rules.

Virginia law states that the explanation, which will appear in literature provided by the State Board of Elections, must be neutral and not use arguments advocated by opponents or proponents of any amendment. Opponents of the amendment said the explanation is not neutral because it offers a legal opinion.

On Wednesday, a House of Delegates panel approved the same language. The State Board of Elections has until 90 days before Election Day to produce the explanation.

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