
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, April 5, 1990                   TAG: 9004060749
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

LAWYER WANTS CAPITAL MURDER CHARGE DROPPED

Lawyers for Christopher Palmer, one of three youths charged in the slayings last week of three members of a suburban Richmond family, have asked a judge to dismiss the three capital murder charges against Palmer.

"The commonwealth has information in the form of recorded statements from the defendants which exonerate Mr. Palmer," according to a motion filed Wednesday in Henrico County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court by Michael Morchower and Hunter Woltz, Palmer's lawyers.

"Any additional charges lodged against Mr. Palmer by the commonwealth would constitute prosecutorial vindictiveness," the motion said.

Steven E. Rea, 16, has admitted his involvement in the slayings of Larry W. Walker, 42, Emily Walker, 40, and their son Larry E. Walker, 17, according Henry A. Conner, Rea's lawyer.

Commonwealth's Attorney James S. Gilmore III would not comment Wednesday on whether he will oppose the motion.

Palmer, 16, Rea and Jackie Lynn Kulp, 14, were arrested Saturday and charged with three capital murder charges each.

by CNB