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

DATE: MONDAY, May 15, 1995                   TAG: 9505160037
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

CRACK DEAL, SLAYING MAY BE LINKED

Vickie Michelle Nichols, 31, of 14th Street Southeast, was found by police about 4:30 a.m. Sunday lying on her back on the sidewalk behind an apartment in the 1700 block of Dunbar Street in Lincoln Terrace, according to Roanoke police Maj. J.L. Viar.

Nichols had been shot twice in the back - once in the spine and once in the shoulder blade - according to Viar. She was taken to Roanoke Memorial Hospital, where she died a few hours later. This is Roanoke's 10th slaying this year.

Police have charged Arthur Jermaine Manns of the 5200 block of Lancelot Lane Northwest with Nichols' murder, according to Viar. Manns was arrested without incident at his home about 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

A woman who lives nearby told police she heard four gunshots, then saw four men running toward her, Viar said. Another neighbor told police that Nichols had visited an apartment in the development for about ten minutes, and after she left, the neighbor heard gunshots and Nichols calling for help.

Viar said police have information that a crack cocaine transaction had taken place in the immediate vicinity of the crime just before the gunfire, and that drug involvement is being considered in the investigation.

Viar would not comment on a motive for the killing or why Nichols had come to the area. He said he did not know whether Manns and Nichols knew each other.

Manns was being held without bond in the Roanoke City Jail Sunday night. He is scheduled to be arraigned in Roanoke General District Court today.

Keywords:
ROMUR