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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, December 22, 1993                   TAG: 9312220106
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MIKE HUDSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

SLAYING TRIAL MOVED

The clerk of the Botetourt County Circuit Court testified Tuesday that several county residents have volunteered to serve as jurors in the capital murder trial of William R. Layne - and offered their opinions on what punishments they believe Layne deserves.

Clerk Tom Moore said some of the callers have suggested severe and "atrocious" punishments.

Layne's attorneys argued that these events show emotions are running too high for Layne to get a fair trial in the county.

Circuit Judge George Honts - who said he also had heard comments from citizens - agreed. He ordered that the trial be moved to Winchester.

Layne is charged with kidnapping and beating 11-year-old Phadra Carter to death.

During the pretrial hearing Tuesday, Layne's attorney also cited extensive publicity as another reason for moving the case out of Botetourt County.

The trial is scheduled for the week of Feb. 28.

Authorities claim that Layne kidnapped Phadra Carter from her home in Rockbridge County early Sept. 18 because he wanted to abuse her sexually.

Searchers found her body four days later in Botetourt County. She had been killed by 10 blows to the head, according to the autopsy report.

At Tuesday's hearing, Layne pleaded innocent.

by CNB