A 31-year-old Nathalie woman was arrested and charged with
murder Friday following what Halifax County Sheriff Jeff Oakes
described as a "brutal and senseless" stabbing of her
67-year-old neighbor.
Lillian Taylor was murdered in her home on Quarles School Trail
early Friday morning, according to the Halifax County Sheriff's
Department.
"The living room looked like there had been a tremendous
struggle," Oakes said.
Although the violent nature of the crime made it hard to determine
exactly what had happened, police sources said that it looked
like the trailer had possibly been ransacked.
Police said that robbery could possibly be the motive for the
crime.
Taylor was cut and stabbed numerous times in the chest and throat,
explained Captain Larry Fears.
"Evidence from the crime scene suggests that Taylor fought
for her life," added Oakes.
Although it can not be confirmed until a full autopsy can be performed,
Oakes said that the police think that a large kitchen knife recovered
at the scene is the murder weapon.
According to police officials, the suspect, Xenia Morgan, was
taken into custody at her nearby residence shortly after police
arrived on the scene, but she was not formally charged with Taylor's
death until she had been treated for several injuries and released
from the hospital around 12:30 p.m. Friday.
The 31 year-old suspect is being held with out bond at the Halifax
Regional Jail, Fears said.
Morgan, charged with first degree murder, is expected to be arraigned
this morning, according to police sources.
The lead investigator, Sheldon Jennings, is being assisted on
the case by State Bureau of Criminal Investigation Officer T.A.
LaRue and Special Agent Stuart Williams.
As Halifax County braced for an afternoon forecast of more
severe thunderstorms yesterday, National Weather Service meteorologist
Steve Nogueira said that the brilliant lightning displays weren't
the biggest concern associated with the storms that swept through
the area over the weekend.
"The bigger concern is the damaging wind and large hail these
storms produced," Nogueira said.
The meteorologist said that several storm cells had pummeled the
county over the weekend.
"Eight different warnings were issued for Halifax County
between Friday and Saturday," he said. "One of those
was for a tornado warning."
Between 7 a.m. Saturday and 7 a.m. yesterday, he said that South
Boston received 1.35 inches of rainfall.
Although Nogueira said that the weather service didn't receive
a report from South Boston Friday, a spokesman from the South
Boston Wastewater Treatment Plant said the town recorded nine-tenths
of an inch of rain.
But Nogueira was quick to point out that these figures could be
deceiving.
"Due to the nature of these storm cells, it's hard to say
how much rain you had," he said. "It didn't rain the
same everywhere in the county."
He added that at press time, reports of damage and total rainfall
from around the county were still being received.
"I wouldn't be surprised to see Halifax County having received
upwards of three to four inches of rain in some places over the
course of these storms," the meteorologist said.
Downed power lines across the county presented other dangers,
according to Irene Cimino, spokesman for Dominion Virginia Power.
Cimino warned residents to stay away from downed power lines.
"As people go out to inspect the storm damage, they need
to remember that some of those lines are still 'hot' and could
be very dangerous," she said.
"Although there were large numbers of outages in other areas,
in South Boston and the surrounding communities, we had about
100 work locations, for about 15,000 people out of power at some
point," Cimino said yesterday morning.
She said that power crews from other parts of the state were on
hand to help clear the work load.
"Of those 100 locations, two-thirds are completed,"
the spokesman added. "Currently, about 240 customers remain
without power."
Nogueira reported that at 5:45 p.m. Friday, numerous reports of
wind damage and trees down around the county came into the National
Weather Service.
One-inch hail was reported at 11:55 p.m. in Nathalie.
Just after midnight Saturday morning, trees were reported down
in the Town of Halifax and the weather watchers reported three-quarter
inch hail, according to the meteorologist.
And Nogueira noted that all damage was yet to be reported.
"We're still working on getting more damage reports,"
he said.
A Halifax man received a seven and a half year prison sentence
Friday for drug and firearm charges following his trial in United
States District Court in Roanoke.
Thomas Wesley Cole Jr., 43, of Mountain Road, will serve his time
in a federal penitentiary, Maj. R.S.B. Pulliam of the Halifax/South
Boston Regional Narcotic Enforcement Task Force said.
"The task force had conducted a five-year investigation on
Cole for the distribution of cocaine and the manufacturing and
distribution of methamphetamine," Pulliam said.
He added that the investigation included purchases of methamphetamine
from the defendant as well as surveillance of his methamphetamine
manufacturing process.
"Cole was found to be operating a multi-state drug organization
utilizing firearms including fully-automatic firearms, violence
and intimidation to control his operation," Pulliam observed.
"Cole's drug operation distributed marijuana, cocaine, crack
and methamphetamine."
The task force arrested Cole on July 22, 2001 after the South
Boston Police Department arrested him for pistol-whipping an individual
on the side of the road, according to police reports.
"Based on the five-year investigation by the task force,
Cole was additionally arrested for two counts of the distribution
of methamphetamine and one count of possessing a firearm while
distributing methamphetamine," Pulliam said.
Shortly after Cole's arrest, all state charges were nol prossed
and federal charges were placed on the defendant.
"Since the task force investigation previously revealed Cole
was operating a methamphetamine lab at his residence on Mountain
Road, a search warrant was obtained and executed," Pulliam
said. "A methamphetamine lab was located at the residence
and secured."
The task force leader said that a lab team from the federal Drug
Enforcement Agency responded to the scene to identify and dispose
of various chemicals used in the manufacturing process.
In other police business, Henry Clifton Goods, 69, of Mason Chapel
Road in Alton, was arrested Saturday and charged with felonious
assault.
The alleged offense occurred last Monday.
Deputy S.M. Bowen was the arresting deputy.
The Board of Supervisors Finance Committee
is expected to receive an initial working budget tonight from
its administrator prior to the full Board taking action on its
proposed $11,871,131 operational funding for schools.
County administrator Joe Morgan said yesterday that he was completing
work on the budget, one expected to continue a 10 percent a year
(real estate increase) in effect now for three years.
If the 4-cent increase is approved, that would translate to a
46 cents per $100 rate and add "three-quarters of a million"
to the budget, Morgan said Sunday.
"The reason for the increase is to make up for the school
composite index after the freeze lapses," said James Edmunds,
chairman of the Finance Committee yesterday.
The school system is currently receiving an additional $4 million
annually due to composite index changes by the state.
Edmunds also said that the exact amount of the real estate increase
has not been determined.
He also said the Board could address the school system's request
for $21 million for capital improvements during its 7 p.m. meeting.
The Finance Committee will meet at 4:30 p.m. and the full Board
will meet at 7 p.m. in the Halifax County Administration Building
located on Main Street in Halifax.
As the county moves toward adoption of its FY 2003-2004 budget,
its current total budget reflected $66.3 million, according to
the county administrator, with a general fund of $25.3 million.
Morgan described the $25.3 million general fund as locally controlled
funds, which also includes some grants.
School Funding
The School Board originally sought $12,205,798 in local funding,
but supervisors trimmed $334,667 from the request, excluding funding
for transfer to construction, prior to supervisors' public hearing
last week.
The public hearing to consider the operational budget quickly
turned into a plea from area residents and economic development
leaders for $21 million for Phase II capital improvements for
schools.
School Board President Patty Nelson also spoke in opposition to
a referendum on the proposed capital improvements project.
Supervisors face a heavy agenda this month, with a joint meeting
with town councils scheduled at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 19, at Mary
Bethune Complex in Halifax.
Also, beginning Monday, May 19, to Wednesday, June 11, Board budget
work sessions will be held "as needed," according to
county officials.
Currently, county staff has scheduled a budget hearing on Monday,
June 23, with budget adoption scheduled for Monday, June 30.
Earlier, Morgan defended the late presentation of a county budget,
explaining he could not create a budget until the General Assembly
and Governor made final funding decisions.
After a stinging loss Thursday night that erased its hopes
for the regular-season district title, Halifax County has now
turned its eyes to second place in the Western Valley District
baseball race.
Halifax County kept its bid for second place in the district standings
alive Friday night with a come-from-behind 10-3 road win over
Patrick Henry in Roanoke.
The win left the Comets in third place in the standings, one game
behind E.C. Glass.
Halifax County and E.C. Glass will square off Tuesday at 6 p.m.
in Lynchburg in what will be a "must win" game for the
Comets if they hope to have a shot to land second place in the
standings and a home game in the semifinals of the district tournament.
GW, which can do no worse than finish in a tie for the regular-season
title at this point, appears to be headed for the district title
and the automatic berth in the Northwest Region Tournament.
Halifax County will face GW Friday night at 7 p.m. in Danville
in the regular-season finale for both teams.
While that will be a big game, it is Tuesday's game against E.C.
Glass that is the game of the most importance for the Comets.
"The Glass game is big," said Comets coach Kelvin Davis.
"We're in a situation where we want to host at least one
home game in the tournament. That Glass game is big as far as
that goes."
The Comets could have gone a long way toward solidifying its bid
for second place with a win here last Thursday night over Franklin
County.
But, when Franklin County toppled the Comets, Halifax County,
with its last three district games being played on the road, found
itself in a bind.
"We've dug ourselves a hole but we have the ability to get
out of there," added Davis, "and I think we will."
The Comets took one step toward getting out of that hole with
the 10-3 win over Patrick Henry.
Halifax County pounded Patrick Henry with 11 hits with Robert
Carter, Jason Lloyd, Brent Long, Drew Lewis and Steven Smith each
getting two hits.
Jacob Owen had the other hit for the Comets.
Halifax County also got a nice job on the mound from Tyler Clarke
who was pressed into service after Matt Clay, who was to start
on the mound for the Comets, encountered a problem after throwing
just a few pitches.
Clarke fanned seven batters and scattered eight hits and four
walks.
Halifax County jumped on top early as Lloyd doubled with two out
in the top of the first inning and scored on a hit by Long to
make it a 1-0 score.
A solo round-tripper by Lewis to start the top of the second inning
gave the Comets a 2-0 lead.
Patrick Henry took advantage of a walk and four hits to plate
three runs in the bottom of the second inning and take a 3-2 lead.
After that point, Clarke allowed only three hits and three walks
while striking out five batters.
The Comets got back on top in the top of the third inning with
a rally that started with Carter coming up with a single with
one out.
He stole second base and Lloyd walked to put two runners on the
sacks.
A hit by Long plated Carter to tie the game and a two-RBI hit
by Lewis put the Comets up 5-3.
Halifax scored three more runs in the top of the fourth inning
when three walks and a base hit forced in a run and a two-RBI
hit by Lloyd made it an 8-3 Comets lead.
The Comets added a run in the top of the sixth inning when Lloyd
walked with one out and stole second base, third base and home.
The final Comets run in the game came in the top of the seventh
inning when Owen doubled with one out and scored on a single by
Smith.
It was one that got away.
That, simply put, was the story for Halifax County in Thursday
night's Western Valley District game here against Franklin County.
The Comets, needing a win to stay in contention for the district
championship, fell victim to a series of miscues and a scrappy
Franklin County team in a 6-3 loss.
Thursday night's loss took the Comets out of contention for the
district title and put them in a tough battle to nail down second
place and a first-round home game in the upcoming district tournament.
"I don't think they realize what kind of hole we've dug for
ourselves now," said Davis.
"We're not out of this thing. But there is nothing we can
do now about the loss."
Halifax County managed only six hits and committed three errors,
one of which allowed two Franklin County runs to score in what
was a six-run explosion by the Eagles in the top of the fourth
inning.
"We're a better ball club than what we showed out there,"
said Davis.
"The coaching staff has preached to the guys about execution
and making plays and being ready for the play before the play
gets to you.
"We just weren't focused, from the offense to the defense,
we just weren't in the ball game," added Davis.
"Basically, we just came out flat."
The Comets got a hit each from starting pitcher Robert Carter,
Brent Long, Drew Lewis, Kirby Barbour, Jake Owen and Ryan Gieselman
who was the designated hitter for Jody Nelson.
But, that wasn't the type of offensive production Davis felt his
team could have produced against Franklin County hurler Early
Page.
"It seemed to me we could have hit him a lot better than
what we did," said Davis.
"We just didn't go out and do it."
Lewis gave the Comets the early lead with solo homer to start
the second inning.
The Comets went up 2-0 when Jason Lloyd walked with two out in
the bottom of the third inning.
He stole second base, went to third base on a passed ball and
scored on a double by Long.
Carter, who had given up only two hits through the first three
innings, was rocked by Franklin County in the top of the fourth
inning.
Franklin County's first three batters in the inning reached base,
one with a long single, one with a walk, and another with an infield
hit, to load the sacks.
A double by the Eagles' Shawn Fralin scored three runs and put
the Eagles up 3-2.
The Eagles' Jonathan Story walked to put two runners on the bases.
Davis pulled Carter from the mound and brought Jason Lloyd to
the mound.
A double by the Eagles' Brent Jenkins plated Fralin to make the
score 4-2.
Lloyd fanned Brandon Fellows for the first out of the inning.
But the Comets unraveled on a miscue when Ryan Blankenship hit
into a fielder's choice.
An error by Comets shortstop Matt Clay trying to nail Story at
the plate allowed Story to score and allowed Jenkins to score
from second base and put Franklin County up 6-2.
"If we make that play (at shortstop) we're still in the ball
game," said Davis.
" It's something we work on day after day in practice. We
just didn't execute that play."
Lloyd and the Comets' defense did their job over the course of
the last three innings.
Working his longest span of the season to date, Lloyd fanned four
batters and allowed only one hit over the final three innings
and the defense made the plays behind him including a classy double
play in the fifth inning.
But, the Comets were unable to get anything going offensively.
Halifax had three base runners in the bottom of the fourth inning
and two of them, Barbour and Owen, were picked off of the base
paths.
Carter and Clay got back-to-back walks to start the top of the
sixth inning but the Comets didn't produce a run there.
The Comets did get a run in the bottom of the seventh inning when
Carter came up with an infield hit with one out and scored when
Long hit into a fielder's choice.
But, it was too little too late.
Ann Rickman Crawford, 71, of Charlotte,
NC, died May 8 at Presbyterian Hospital.
Mrs. Crawford was born April 30, 1932, in Halifax County, the
daughter of the late John Henry Rickman and Rosa Rickman Walker.
Graveside services were held May 10 at 11:30 a.m. at Sharon Memorial
Park with the Rev. Dr. H.W. Pigg officiating.
Survivors of Mrs. Crawford include three sisters, Helen R. Gibbons
of Wilmington, DE, Gayle R. Reaves of Virgilina; and Janet R.
Childrey of South Boston; one half sister, Virginia R. Doss of
South Boston; a devoted niece, Patricia R. Grant of Ft. Mill,
SC.
She was preceded in death by her husband, George D. Crawford;
three sisters, Emma Lea Cook, Eleanor R. Canner and Elsie R. Gersbach;
her stepfather, Clifton Walker; and two brothers, John E. and
James G. Rickman
Lillian Seamster Forlines, 84, of Atlanta,
GA, died May 7.
She was born December 17, 1918, in Halifax County to the late
Louie A. and Laura C. Seamster.
Mrs. Forlines is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Aubrey
and Martha Forlines, of Atlanta; two brothers, Lenzy and Albert
Seamster, both of Clover; and four grandchildren, Wesley and Carly
Forlines of Atlanta, and Will and Brad Womack of Monroe, NC. She
was preceded in death by her husband, Woodrow W. Forlines; and
a daughter, Bonnie Womack.
A private memorial service will be held by the family.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Caring Hands,
c/o Calvin Court, 479 E. Paces Ferry Road, Atlanta, 30305.
Graveside services for Mr. Robert Glascock
Jr. will be held Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Virgilina Cemetery.
The Rev. Charles Lowery will officiate.
Visitation will be held at Brooks Funeral Home tonight between
7 p.m. and 9 p.m.
Mr. Glascock, of Seventh Street in Virgilina, died Saturday, May
10 at the Halifax Regional Hospital.
He was 72.
Mr. Glascock was born in Halifax County on May 28, 1930 to the
late Ruby Tuck Glascock and the late Robert W. Glascock.
He was a retired clerk of Southern Parts of Roxboro and was a
veteran of the United States Air Force. He was a member of the
Union United Church of Christ.
Survivors include three sisters, Linda G. Miller, Sandi G. Sutton
and Judi G. Mackey, all of Greensboro, N.C., and a number of nieces
and nephews.
Funeral services for Mr. Franklin Roosevelt
Morris were held Saturday at Union United Church of Christ.
Burial followed in the Virgilina Cemetery.
The Revs. Charles Lowery, Bobby Whitfield and Bill LeWall officiated.
Mr. Morris, of George Phillips Trail in Virgilina, died Tuesday,
May 8, at Halifax Regional Hospital.
He was 72.
Mr. Morris was born in Halifax County on January 31, 1931 to the
late Bessie Tuck Morris and the late Willie Osborne Morris Sr.
He was a retired employee of ABB and was a veteran of the United
States Army.
Mr. Morris was a member of Union United Church of Christ, where
he was a deacon and served on the Board of Deacons for a number
of years. He was also a past Sunday School Superintendent.
Survivors include his wive, Eunice Ann Phillips Morris, two brothers,
Gerald G. Morris and wife Katherine and Henry B. Morris and his
wife Estelle, all of Virgilina, two sisters, Beatrice Buchanan
of Clarksville and Barbara M. Hold and husband Coy Lee of Cluster
Springs, one grandson, Bradley William Cole and one granddaughter,
Leslie Ann Cole.
He was preceded in death by one daughter, Glenda Morris Cole and
brothers Thomas Morris, Woodrow Morris, David Morris, Willie O.
Morris Jr., and Albert Morris.
Funeral services for Mrs. Estelle Whitt
Smith will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Brooks & White
Chapel in Roxboro.
Burial will follow in Person Memorial Cemetery.
The Rev. Norma Walters will officiate.
Mrs. Smith died Sunday, May 11, at Durham Regional Hospital.
She was 86.
Mrs. Smith was born in Halifax County to the late Walter Wise
and the late Emma Conner Whitt.
She was married to the late Jule Robert Smith.
Mrs. Smith retired from Collins & Aikman and was a long-time
member of Ca-Vel United Methodist Church.
She is survived by eight nephews and two nieces.
Visitation will be held between 7 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. tonight at
the funeral home and at other times at the home of Elsie Whitt,
497 Long's Store Road in Roxboro.
Memorials may be made to Ca-Vel United Methodist Church c/o Alice
gordon, P.O. Box 156 Semora, N.C., 27343.