DATE: Wednesday, October 15, 1997           TAG: 9710150453

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B7   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY JON FRANK, STAFF WRITER 

DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                    LENGTH:   37 lines

``RIDICULOUS DEFENSE'' BRINGS 138 YEARS

A circuit judge Tuesday sentenced the convicted killer of two men to 138 years in prison after criticizing the man for refusing to relinquish ``the most ridiculous defense I think that I have ever seen.''

Judge Alan E. Rosenblatt made his comments moments before he affirmed a jury's verdict rendered July 31 against the defendant, 43-year-old Clyde L. Caffee.

Caffee shot and killed Willie Montrel Wiggins, 22, of the 1400 block of Old Oak Arch and Derrick Wiggins, 17, of the 3500 block of Terrazzo Trail on July 6, 1996, in the parking lot of a residence that served illegal liquor. The residence is located in the 1400 block of Virginia Beach Blvd. The two men, who were cousins, were pronounced dead at the scene.

In the same incident, Caffee shot at and wounded Willie Wiggins' brother, Gregory Wiggins, 26, of the 1400 block of Old Oak Arch. Gregory Wiggins survived.

Despite overwhelming evidence - some of it from eyewitnesses - during the four-day trial, Caffee on Tuesday refused to admit guilt when he asked permission to speak to the victims' families just before the sentencing was completed.

Caffee told the family members gathered in the courtroom that he was not responsible for their relatives' deaths. ``That's the truth,'' Caffee said. ``That's the God's truth.''

Rosenblatt said he was planning to comment on several ``eloquent'' victim impact statements given to the court, but the judge changed his mind when Caffee surprised the court with his denial of guilt.

Rosenblatt said Caffee was ``still clinging to the most ridiculous defense I think I have ever seen.''

The judge also sentenced Caffee on convictions for three weapons violations and for malicious wounding stemming from the shooting incident.

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