
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 13, 1991                   TAG: 9102130276
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-4   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WISE                                LENGTH: Short

JURY BEING PICKED IN MURDER TRIAL

Jury selection began Tuesday in the capital murder trial of one of three people charged in the slaying of Abie Adams, a case that baffled police investigators for nearly three years.

Danny Ray Thacker, 40, of Norton, is charged with capital murder, conspiracy to commit capital murder, robbery, abduction, two counts of conspiracy and using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Wise County Commonwealth's Attorney Tim McAfee has said he will seek the death penalty for Thacker, a past president of the local Warlords motorcycle gang, and one alleged co-conspirator, Daniel H. Church, 26, of Norton.

Church's brother, 20-year-old Timothy D. Church of Appalachia, is also charged with capital murder and conspiracy to commit capital murder.

Thacker's trial is expected to last through this week and could go into next week.

The murder case has puzzled investigators since Adams disappeared on Oct. 7, 1987, while his wife shopped at a Norton grocery store. A night watchman at a local coal company, Adams was seen driving away from the store with a man wearing a camouflage jacket.

Two months later, his body was discovered on High Knob. He had been shot at least three times, once in the back and twice in the legs.

by CNB