Roanoke Times Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc. DATE: SATURDAY, April 21, 1990 TAG: 9004210060 SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: A4 EDITION: METRO SOURCE: Associated Press DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Short
Savino, 30, pleaded guilty a year ago to the capital murder and robbery of Thomas McWaters Jr. The victim was robbed, beaten with a hammer and stabbed while he slept Nov. 29, 1988, in the farm home he shared with Savino.
The high court ruled that Savino was properly sentenced to death because his long criminal record showed he was likely to commit further violent crimes.
"Moreover, the manner in which McWaters was murdered may be considered in assessing `future dangerousness.' Undeniably, the manner of the murder was excessive and brutal," wrote Justice Roscoe B. Stephenson Jr.
by CNB