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

DATE: THURSDAY, July 8, 1993                   TAG: 9307080200
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: DANVILLE                                LENGTH: Short

EXECUTION ORDERED FOR HOLDUP-MURDER

Calvin Eugene Swann was sentenced Wednesday to death in the state's electric chair for a robbery and murder Swann said he committed for money to buy drugs.

Swann, 38, was convicted in June after a five-day trial. The jury recommended the death sentence, and Circuit Judge James Ingram handed down that sentence after hearing testimony through the afternoon.

Police said Conway Forrest Richter, 62, died after being shot once in the chest by a sawed-off 16-gauge shotgun Nov. 7. He was robbed of $60.

Swann told police he had roamed several streets in search of a victim to rob for drug money. Swann said he chose Richter because the man's front door was open.

"Your history has shown that you are a danger to everyone wherever you go," Ingram said in passing sentence. Swann's 20-year criminal record includes burglary, armed robbery and assault convictions.

- Associated Press

by CNB