ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, January 17, 1997 TAG: 9701170088
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: HILLSVILLE
SOURCE: PAUL DELLINGER STAFF WRITER
MEMO: NOTE: Shorter version ran in Metro edition.
Two brothers who chose not to contest charges of first-degree murder in the 1994 shooting of their father will each serve 48 years in prison.
William Spencer "Willie" Gammon, 22, drew sentences totaling 138 years and Chris Gammon, 18, a total of 113 years from Circuit Judge Duane Mink. Some of the sentences were suspended and others will run concurrently, leaving 48 years to be served.
The murder charge stemmed from the fatal shooting Oct. 31, 1994, of Gary Gammon, 42, when he and his wife were returning at night to their mobile home in a remote section of Carroll County from a trip to Martinsville.
The wife, Rebecca Easter Gammon, also was shot. She now must use a wheelchair.
The brothers were arrested in Henry County after a police chase through Patrick and Henry counties.
The no-contest pleas allowed the brothers to avoid a trial on the original charge of capital murder. Other charges included aggravated malicious wounding of their stepmother, who married Gary Gammon in 1988, and armed robbery.
In the three-day sentencing hearing which started Monday, the defense portrayed Gary Gammon as an abusive parent feared by the boys.
Rebecca Gammon said she had seen no abuse in the years they had been married.
In a statement to authorities, Willie Gammon said he had an SKS semiautomatic rifle and his brother had a .25-caliber pistol when the the shootings happened. He admitted shooting his father and said his brother shot Rebecca Gammon.
"I don't remember if I shot her or not. Everything happened so fast,'' he said.
LENGTH: Short : 42 linesby CNB