ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, July 12, 1996 TAG: 9607120067
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: PRINCE GEORGE
A man who had been ordered by a judge to stay away from his former girlfriend pleaded guilty Thursday to first-degree murder in the woman's slaying.
Shaun Michael Love, 22, shot Sayonara V. McLaughlin on March 5, the same day they appeared in Prince George Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court to have a trial date set on her allegation that Love had assaulted her.
Love showed up later at her home, kicked in the door when he was refused entrance and shot McLaughlin just after she called 911, said Commonwealth's Attorney H. Martin Robertson.
Five shots from the .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol were recorded on the tape of the 911 call, the prosecutor said.
McLaughlin was hit four times, with one bullet entering the back of her neck and severing her spinal cord. She died five days after the shooting.
Her 12-and 14-year-old sisters were in the house at the time of the shooting, Robertson said.
Love also pleaded guilty to using a firearm in the murder, breaking and entering with intent to commit murder and possession of a firearm by a felon. He is to be sentenced Sept.12.
Robertson said Love had someone buy the murder weapon for him the day before the shooting.
After the shooting, Love drove west on U.S. 460. He is accused of robbing motels in Amherst County and Lynchburg later that day.
Police arrested him in Roanoke after a chase that began when a Bedford County deputy sheriff spotted Love in a car that had been described by the motel robbery victims. The chase ended when Love's vehicle crashed into another car.
Love faces trial in Lynchburg on July 31 and in Amherst County in September.
- Associated Press
LENGTH: Short : 43 linesby CNB