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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, February 20, 1991                   TAG: 9102200600
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A-1   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HOUSTON                                LENGTH: Short

`STAGE MOTHER' ACCUSED OF TRYING TO HIRE HIT MAN

A woman described as "the ultimate stage mother" is accused of trying to hire a hit man to help get her daughter on a junior high school cheerleading squad.

Wanda Webb Holloway, 36, of Channelview, was indicted Tuesday on charges she offered a set of $1,500 diamond earrings as a "down payment" to kill the mother of her 13-year-old daughter's rival for a cheerleading slot. Officers allege another $1,000 would have been paid after Verna Heath was killed.

Authorities say Holloway tried extraordinary ways to get her daughter, Shanna Harper, on the cheerleading squad, but the girl lost out to Amber Heath, 13.

County narcotics agent George Helton was alerted to the plot by Holloway's former brother-in-law, Terry Lynn Harper, described as "a credible person with no known criminal history" in court papers.

But the Houston Chronicle reported today that Harris County records show Harper has convictions for delivery of methaqualone, or speed, in 1981, and drunken driving in 1985. The defense is expected to use that record in an attempt to discredit Harper.

The grand jury charges say Holloway hoped that Amber Heath might be so overcome with grief at her mother's death that she would quit the competition.

Holloway, who faces up to life in prison if convicted, is free on $10,000 bond.

by CNB