THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, October 25, 1995 TAG: 9510250503
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 43 lines
A man charged with the slaying in February of a 53-year-old man in Ocean View pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree murder.
Lamont J. Hines, 20, also pleaded guilty to armed burglary, possession of cocaine, use of a firearm and two counts of robbery.
Hines agreed, as part of his plea, to testify against a co-defendant, Damian Carter, who was 16 when the slaying occurred. Other charges against Hines were dropped as part of the plea agreement.
Hines and Carter were charged with killing David Muse in the 2000 block of East Ocean View Ave. Feb. 17.
According to court records, Hines, Carter and another 16-year-old robbed Muse's apartment Feb. 6. Five people who were in the apartment were robbed of about $200. In addition, Muse, who was known as a marijuana dealer, was robbed of approximately a pound of marijuana, court records said.
On Feb. 17, Hines and Carter met a second time and decided to rob Muse again. The other 16-year-old was not present. That night, the two knocked on Muse's door, and he stepped outside with an unloaded gun. As Muse struggled to close the door, four shots were fired. He was struck twice and died soon afterward.
Carter was seen by a witness. Hines was not seen.
Hines was arrested Feb. 23. He admitted his part in the robberies, but told police he had remained at the foot of the stairs on the night of the slaying when he heard the four shots.
Soon, Carter returned. According to court records, he told Hines: ``He shouldn't have did it! He pointed a gun around the door. I killed him.''
Hines will be sentenced Jan. 18. He faces two life terms for the robberies and a maximum of 40 years in prison for the second-degree murder charge.
Carter will be tried as an adult later this year.
KEYWORDS: GUILTY PLEA SHOOTING MURDER by CNB