ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, January 11, 1996 TAG: 9601110096
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER
The General Imports mechanic killed last week in Roanoke County gave a ride to the man charged with beating him to death, according to a search warrant filed Wednesday in Roanoke Circuit Court.
Christopher James Saul, 19, of the 1700 block of Rutrough Road Southeast, was arraigned Wednesday in Roanoke County Circuit Court. Ray Ferris and Bill Cleaveland have been appointed to represent him.
Saul was arrested Saturday and charged with capital murder in connection with the beating death of Christopher Lee Wilson, 26, who was found dead by employees at General Imports Sales & Service on Brambleton Avenue after the New Year's holiday.
Police sought a warrant to search Saul's apartment. According to an affidavit filed with the warrant, this is what an informant told them:
Saul arrived at the informant's residence shortly after midnight Jan. 2 in a car that matched a description of Wilson's stolen car.
Saul told the informant that Wilson had picked him up earlier that night while he was hitchhiking. The two went to the garage where Wilson worked.
Saul told the informant that he struck Wilson on the head with some type of bar, according to the affidavit. Saul needed the victim's vehicle because he was late for a planned engagement at the Sheraton Inn Roanoke Airport and his own was in the shop, the affidavit said.
The informant said Saul had Wilson's wallet and driver's license. The informant also said Saul tried to make a withdrawal from an automated teller machine with Wilson's bank card.
Police said in the affidavit that a man photographed at the ATM matched Saul's description.
Saul is being held without bond in the Roanoke County-Salem Jail. A date for the preliminary hearing has not been set, said Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Randy Leach.
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