Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, March 21, 1991 TAG: 9103210389
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Melanie S. Hatter
DATELINE: BEDFORD LENGTH: Short
Fox, who was charged in December with murder and illegal use of a firearm, will appear before the grand jury April 5.
Steve Frederick Sargent, 27, was killed by a shotgun blast to his lower back at Fox's duplex in the 900 block of Greenwood Street.
Commonwealth's Attorney James Updike urged General District Judge James Farmer to certify the charge. Sargent was shot in the back and was hit nine times, which proved Fox had deliberately aimed the gun to kill Sargent, Updike said.
Defense attorney Harry Garrett said Fox could be guilty of manslaughter, but the incident did not "rise to the level of murder."
Bedford Police Sgt. Melvin Massie testified that Fox had told police Sargent had threatened to kill him after they had argued on the evening of Dec. 11.
Expecting Sargent to come to his house, Fox loaded his shotgun and placed it under his bed, according to Massie's testimony. When Fox heard someone pounding on his front door, he released the safety clip and the gun went off. Fox reloaded and fired a second round at the door.
Fox was "very, very frightened and upset" when talking to police after the incident, Massie said.
Fox is free on a $50,000 bond.
by CNB