Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, November 5, 1994 TAG: 9411070046
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: PEARISBURG LENGTH: Short
Fred Ray Buchanan, 49, will go on trial Jan. 25 for the October 1993 death of Claudine Waddell, 77.
Waddell's body was found in her burning mobile home, where she lived alone in the Waddelltown community on Virginia 617.
Authorities at first thought her death was an accident, but an autopsy showed she was killed by a knife wound to the throat rather than by the fire.
Fred Buchanan and his brother William James Buchanan, 59, were arrested days later. Police said robbery appeared to be the motive, with the fire apparently set to cover the slaying. Police said items from the woman's home were found in the brothers' possession.
A Bland County Circuit Court jury convicted William Buchanan in September of first-degree murder and robbery. He was sentenced to two life terms in prison. An arson charge was dismissed by Judge Dow Owens because of insufficient evidence.
Jimmy Turk, Fred Buchanan's lawyer, said he didn't believe enough people who hadn't heard or been influenced by reports about the murder could be found in the small county to make up a jury pool.
"Evidently, it's been very, very publicized locally and talked about," Turk said.
"Even the move to one county over will help a tremendous amount," Turk said.
by CNB