Amar Gaffney, 23, the victim of a Tuesday afternoon shooting
on Rev. Coleman Road in the Mt. Laurel community, died early yesterday
morning at Halifax Regional Hospital, as investigators continue
to piece together information surrounding the altercation.
"Right now, the investigation is in the hands of the Commonwealth's
Attorney," Maj. R.S.B. Pulliam of the Halifax County Sheriff's
Office said yesterday morning.
Commonwealth's Attorney John Greenbacker called the circumstances
leading up to the shooting "extremely complex."
"Members of the victim's family have been calling me wanting
to know why (the suspect) had not been locked up," Greenbacker
said yesterday.
He suggested that it was too early in the investigation to be
considering arrests.
"I have not received a final investigative report or briefing
from the people who were involved with the case," he added.
Greenbacker's office will make the final determination as to whether
the case is prosecuted based on the findings of the investigators.
The Commonwealth's Attorney said he didn't feel it would be appropriate
to discuss the details of the case at this time "or to even
speculate as to what the final decision will be until the police
complete their investigation."
Although he said that investigators had a suspect in the fatal
shooting, and that the suspect had called the sheriff's department
shortly after the shooting and given a statement, Pulliam acknowledged
that no arrests have been made.
"(The shooting) appears to be the result of an altercation
that took place earlier in the day," the investigator said.
"We have talked to one witness who saw the shooting and several
witnesses who saw the earlier confrontation."
Pulliam confirmed reports that Gaffney was shot twice, and that
both Gaffney and the suspect were armed and firing during the
shooting.
"Preliminary indications are that more than one person was
armed in the episode, and we want to find out just how it evolved
and under what circumstances before we make any arrests,"
Greenbacker said.
He said that Gaffney's body has been sent to Richmond for an autopsy
to determine the angle and trajectory of the fatal shot.
The Commonwealth's Attorney said that a firearm and shell casings
were recovered at the scene.
In other police business, a 40-year-old South Boston resident,
Prisilla L. Dearmond, was charged with following too closely by
Virginia State Police Trooper R.T. Ridgeway following an 8:15
a.m. accident on Route 654 Wednesday.
The two-car accident resulted in injuries to Felepa Pierre Waller
and a passenger, David Childress, both 17.
Ridgeway said Dearmond's 1991 Volkswagen struck Waller's 1994
Toyota as he was stopped in traffic waiting to make a left turn.
Damages to the Toyota were listed as approximately $2,000 and
Ridgeway estimated the Volkswagen sustained $4,000 damage.
A 29-year-old South Boston man, Daryl Dwayne Glass, has been
charged with capital murder in the bludgeoning death of an 88-year-old
Powell Road man.
On Monday, the Halifax County Grand Jury returned the following
indictments against Glass, charging him with:
· The capital murder of Joseph Conley in the commission
of robbery and attempted robbery.
· The robbery of keys, an automobile, credit cards and
personal checks from Joseph Conley.
· Ten counts of forging and uttering.
· Breaking and entering the house of Joseph Conley with
the intent to commit robbery and murder.
· Breaking and entering the house of Joseph Conley with
the intent to commit larceny.
Officers arrested Glass, of Harris Trail, early on November 3
of last year and charged him with the November 2 crime.
According to autopsy reports from the Medical Examiner's Office,
Conley died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Lt. B.K. Lovelace of the South Boston Police Department said the
victim and the accused lived within walking distance of one another.
"The victim lived on Powell Road in the set of apartments
there, and the accused lived on Harris Trail," the investigator
said. "Their apartments were probably no more than 200-300
yards apart."
Lovelace said that officers were initially dispatched to the Conley
residence to check on his welfare around 2 p.m. on the day of
the murder.
"One of the neighbors wanted us to check on Mr. Conley,"
he said.
The neighbor became suspicious when they hadn't seen or heard
from the elderly man.
"When officers responded, they saw the victim lying on the
floor," Lovelace said.
After entering the residence, they determined that there was sufficient
evidence a murder had been committed.
Upon further investigation, officers determined that Conley's
vehicle, a 1996 Chevrolet Corsica, had been taken during the crime.
"Based on the investigation, we gathered information that
(Glass) had the vehicle," the lieutenant said.
Glass was initially served with a warrant on the grand larceny
charge.
The vehicle was located in the parking lot of The Woodview Nursing
Home early the following morning, according to police reports.
"When we served the warrant, we found incriminating evidence
that allowed us to charge him with Conley's murder," Lovelace
said.
Officers suspect that Conley was killed in the early morning hours.
Lovelace said that Glass had been arrested on the night of October
31 on a grand larceny charge from Wal-Mart and was free on a
$5,000 secured bond.
Five engineering firms are expected to meet with Town of Halifax
officials next week as the town begins its water plant upgrade
project.
The town is seeking the ability to make more water quicker, explained
a town official.
"Five firms have indicated an interest," said Councilman
Jack Dunavant. "We will interview all five."
The Tuesday interviews are the first step in the water plant
expansion process.
Work at the sewer plant is completed and the plant is "up
and running pretty smooth," Town Manager Bob Greene told
Council during its Tuesday night session.
Almost $1.2 million was spent at the sewer plant, which included
repair, maintenance and the addition of a dryer/press for sludge.
The dryer/press allows the plant "to waste" when it's
raining, explained a town official. Previously, the plant relied
on the sun to bake the sludge.
Councilman Dunavant also noted the sewer plant road was "in
bad shape" and suggested it should be put in the Virginia
Department of Transportation's system.
Halifax Town Manager Robert Greene reported that 18 residents
have asked that trash be collected at the back of their homes
rather than at curb side.
"We are still picking it up two ways," added Greene.
Council agreed to offer residents the pick-up option and then
to review the workload.
In other business, Council declined a request by a telephone company
to install a pay telephone on Main Street.
Town officials noted that a pay telephone is currently available
on Maple Avenue.
"I really can't see a need for it," said Councilman
Buddy Guthrie, who offered a second to Councilman Jack Dunavant's
motion to deny the telephone company's request.
In other business, councilmen asked that public parking spaces
in the lot adjoining the Town Administration Building be marked
as soon as possible.
Dunavant also noted the town parking lot at the corner of Maple
Avenue and Main Street - across from War Memorial Park - needed
paving. The park is to be dedicated in May and Dunavant suggested
the work needed to be done prior to the dedication.
Town officials noted that $15,000 to pave the parking lot and
to add meters had been approved in this year's budget.
A Halifax Streetscape report due within weeks is expected to address
parking in Halifax.
In other business, Council unanimously approved a curb cut along
the road beside the Town Administration Building to allow customers
at the new car wash to exit.
Drivers will only be allowed to exit and turn left to enter the
road in front of Blue Ridge Regional Jail.
The issue is to be revisited in one year.
Town officials said that Jeff Henderson, one of the owners of
the new car wash located on the Bridgeview Express property,
agreed to change the exit if problems developed.
Councilman H.C. Philips Sr. also presented a Halifax Volunteer
Fire Department report which reflected 400 calls last year.
Philips said new water rescue equipment has been purchased and
that five-inch diameter hose has been added to the HVFD equipment
inventory.
He also said the fire department sent letters to the public
as part of its fund-raising effort.
A Spaghetti Supper on February 22 is also a HVFD fund-raiser.
Appointments
Dr. Charles Parker was unanimously appointed to the Halifax Town
Planning Commission. His name was submitted by Carl Espy, chairman
of the planning commission.
Current Commission members include Dick Moore, Sharon Graves,
Marlise Crowe, Richard Dunavant and Carl Espy.
Councilmen also appointed Dan Shaw, a resident of Fordland Estates,
to the county-wide Tourism Committee. Shaw has been active in
developing web sites to promote Halifax and the county via the
Internet.
Eleven people lost their lives on Halifax
County roads in 2002, according to reports from the Virginia State
Police.
Out of 457 accidents in Halifax County recorded last year, 339
resulted in injuries.
Of those accidents, nine were fatalities, resulting in a total
of 11 deaths.
Of these deaths, one person who died was wearing a seatbelt,
while two others were pedestrians.
Alcohol was listed as a factor in four of the nine fatal crashes,
a state police spokesman said.
Last year's figures showed a 35 percent decline from 2001, which
recorded 670 accidents, resulting in 439 injuries and 14 fatalities.
Of the 670 crashes 71 were listed as alcohol-related, resulting
in five of the 14 fatalities and 48 of the 439 injuries, the state
police reported.
Mr. Carl Thornton Conner of 187 Wahoo Way, Amherst, died January
15, 2003, at Lynchburg General Hospital. He was born in Halifax
County on August 9, 1924, and was 78 years old.
Mr. Conner was the son of Lemuel Conner and Ruby Wilborn Conner
and was married to Betty Jane Cox Conner.
He was a veteran of World War II and received the Purple Heart.
Mr. Conner is survived by two daughters, Carlene Conner-Kueck
of Colorado Springs, Colorado, Bonnie Conner-Gray of Richmond;
one son, Tim Conner of Amherst; one grandchild, Mikaela Gray of
Richmond; three sisters, Marion Gordon of Alton, Artie Swickert
of Richmond, Gene Pool of Goldsboro, N.C.; and one brother, Glenn
Conner of Biloxi, Miss.
Services for Mr. Conner will be held Sunday, January 19, at 2:00
p.m. at Powell Funeral Home with the Rev. H.V. Conner presiding.
Burial will take place in the Black Walnut Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home on Saturday
from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Funeral services for Earl Douglas Fisher, 4152 Cody Road, Nathalie,
will be held Saturday, January 18, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist
Church of Republican Grove.
Mr. Fisher died January 15, 2003, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
He was born in Halifax County on April 10, 1942, the son of Reginald
Vernon Fisher and Dorothy Ingram Fisher, and was 60 years old.
Mr. Fisher was married to Barbara Gibson Fisher and was a member
of the First Baptist Church of Republican Grove.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Fisher is survived by one son, Steven
Douglas Fisher and wife Tammy Thompson Fisher of Nathalie; one
daughter, Vicki F. Overby and husband Darrell Overby of Virgilina;
four grandchildren, Carissa Overby, Jade Overby, Haley Overby
and Derrick Fisher; and one half-brother, Vernon Lacy "Buddy"
Fisher of Nathalie.
He was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Fisher Angel and a
half-brother, Louis J. Fisher.
Services will be conducted by the Rev. Shelton Miles and burial
will take place in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home this evening
from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. and at other times at the home at 4152
Cody Road, Nathalie. In lieu of flowers the family has requested
that the First Baptist Church of Republican Grove be considered.
Funeral services for Mrs. Ida Frances Greene of South Boston will
be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Memorial Baptist Church with burial
in the church cemetery.
The Rev. Richard A. Terry will officiate.
Mrs. Greene, 74, died Saturday at Halifax Regional Hospital.
She was born in Halifax County on July 28, 1928, a daughter of
the late George Terry and Mrs. Ida Greene Threet. She was married
to the late Alexander Greene.
Mrs. Greene was a member of the Memorial Baptist Church.
She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Patricia Bailey of South
Boston and Ms. Jacqueline Greene of Bridgeport, Conn., one sister,
Mrs. Bessie Outlaw-Lewis of Pomona, California, two brothers,
Henry Greene of Maryland and Johnnie Greene of South Boston, a
half-brother, Henry Terry of Hartford, Conn., 16 grandchildren,
11 great-grandchildren, two sons-in-law, three sisters-in-law,
one brother-in-law, and a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives
and friends.
Mrs. Greene was preceded in death by two daughters, Ms. Frances
Morell and Mrs. Virginia Williams, two brothers, Joseph Greene
and Thomas Greene, and one sister, Mrs. Mildred Cook.
The family is receiving friends at the residence, 1017 Memorial
Drive in South Boston.
Mrs. Willie Roach Hutcherson, 96, of Gretna died Monday, January
13, in Danville Regional Medical Center.
Funeral services were held Wednesday at St. Andrews United Methodist
Church with burial in the church cemetery.
The Rev. Robert F. Newcomb and the Rev. Samuel Caldwell officiated.
She was born November 18, 1906, in Pittsylvania County, a daughter
of the late Norman Lee Roach and Virginia Ellie Edwards Roach.
She was predeceased by her husband, Willie Coleman Hutcherson,
a daughter, Mildred Edwards, a son Reese Coleman Hutcherson, four
brothers, Sammy Roach, Charlie Roach, J.W. Roach and John Roach,
and three sisters, Alice McGregor, Rebecca Davis and Geneva Burnette.
She was a member of St. Andrews United Methodist Church where
she was a member of UMW. Mrs. Hutcherson was a homemaker.
Mrs. Hutcherson is survived by two daughters, Jean Shelton of
Gretna and Lucy Jennings of Gladys, five sisters, Ruth Weatherford
of Halifax, Sue Hankins of Gretna, Velma McGregor of Gretna, Mary
Barbour of Axton and Lizzie Dalton of Newport News, eight grandchildren,
nine great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
The family suggests memorial be made to the Gretna Rescue Squad,
P.O. Box 14, Gretna, Va., or to St. Andrews United Methodist Church,
10164 East Gretna Road, Gretna, Va. 24557.
Tony Glenn Lacks, of Clover, died Thursday, January 16, at Halifax
Regional Hospital.
He was 37-years-old at the time of his death.
Tony Glenn Lacks was born in Halifax County on May 28, 1965, and
was the son of Winston Henry Lacks and Lucille Lacks Lacks.
He was a member of the Living Waters Church of God.
Tony Glenn Lacks is survived by three sisters, Joyce Garibay of
Clover, Judy Yates of Clover, and Valerie Lacks of Brookneal;
three brothers, Ricky Lacks of Roxboro, N.C., Jeffrey Lacks of
Danville and Curtis Lacks of Boydton.
He was preceded in death by three brothers, Rex Lacks, Kevin Lacks
and Bruce Benton, and one sister, Roxanne Lacks.
Services for Tony Glenn Lacks will be held Sunday, January 19,
at 2 p.m. at Living Waters Church of God, with the Rev. Rick Bibee
conducting the service.
Burial will take place in the Clover Cemetery.
The family will receive friends Saturday at Powell Funeral Home
from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Funeral services for Michael Eugene Shelton of Ringgold will be
held at the Brooks Funeral Home Friday, January 17, at 11 a.m.
Visitation will be held at Brooks Funeral Home today between 7
p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and at other times at the home of Brenda Throckmorton,
507 Cheverly Drive, South Boston.
The Rev. Grant Dyer will officiate the funeral services.
Burial will follow in the Halifax Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Shelton died Wednesday, January 15, at the Danville Regional
Medical Center.
He was 53.
Mr. Shelton was born on December 14, 1949 to the late Charlie
Dudley Shelton and the late Mayfield New Cook. He was a retired
employee of the Cloverdale Lumber Company.
He is survived by two sons, Jamie Shelton and wife Monica of Clover
and Chuck Shelton and wife Angie, of Cluster Springs, one daughter,
Amy Shelton of Jacksonville, Fl., three sisters, Joyce Thomas,
Brenda Throckmorton and Gloria Jones, all of South Boston, three
brothers, Tim Shelton of Cluster Springs, Randy Shelton of Martinsville
and Chucky Cook of South Boston, a loving companion, Brenda Ray
of Danville, and three grandchildren, Jamie Leigh Shelton, Cody
Shelton and Madison Shelton.
The family requests that anyone wishing to give memorials please
consider the Halifax County Cancer Association, P.O. Box 875,
South Boston, Va. 24592.
Memorial services for Mrs. Kathy Lee Peacock Wike of Keysville
will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Keysville Methodist Church.
Mrs. Wike died Tuesday at her home in Keysville.
She was born a daughter of Robert Peacock of Damascus, Maryland,
and the late Linda Peacock.
Mrs. Wike is survived by her husband, Bradley J. Wike, two daughters,
Kristy Wike of Columbus, Ohio, and Miranda Benton of Frederick,
Maryland, three sisters, Vicki Spriggs of Williamsport, Maryland,
Connie Cooke of Mt. Airy, Maryland, and Susie Gibson of Hagerstown,
Maryland, three grandchildren and 11 nieces and nephews.
The family is requesting in lieu of flowers that donations be
made to your local Chapter of the American Cancer Society in her
honor. Contact them at 1-800-ACS-2345.