Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 26, 1993 TAG: 9301260087
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
JACKET BLAMED IN FEUD
Police say a feud over a leather jacket may have triggered the shooting death of a Roanoke teen-ager early Saturday.And the mother of the 18-year-old murder suspect says shots have been fired at her home in reprisal.
Lisa Miller said Monday that on at least two occasions since the killing, her house on Gilmer Avenue Northwest has come under gunfire.
"I was hoping it would stop," Miller said. "I'm very afraid for my son."
About 4 a.m. Saturday, a Roanoke police officer woke her and told her that her son, Dwayne Carlos Miller, was a suspect in a murder.
Percy Johnson, 17, had been shot at least seven times with a semi-automatic pistol.
Lisa Miller, 36, said she suspected that her son was heading for trouble about two weeks ago when he showed her his pummeled ear. He said it happened in a fight with Johnson.
Police said the two youths fought after a Jan. 11 robbery in which a gun-toting friend of Miller's took a $250 brown leather coat from a friend of Johnson's.
"I feel terrible, horrible and very sad," Lisa Miller said. "I just wish they'd let it rest."
Police said Lisa Miller has reported gunfire near her house two times since Johnson's death. On Saturday evening, she reported that her house and a friend's car parked nearby had been struck by bullets. The next day, she reported hearing another eight shots. It was not determined if the house had been struck.
According to police, she said she feels the gunfire near her house is linked to the killing of Johnson.
Monday, teams of police officers moved from door to door in her neighborhood, informing residents of the problems and asking them to report suspicious vehicles or persons.
Police said they also planned stepped-up patrols in the neighborhood.
Police learned of Johnson's death after a cab driver saw his body lying in the 500 block of Bridge Street Southwest. A woman ran up to the cab driver and asked for a quarter to call Johnson's mother.
The woman told police that Johnson had been riding in her vehicle when they saw four or five teen-agers walking across a bridge with a gas can. According to police, the woman said she thought the teen-agers needed help and stopped.
The woman told police that Johnson stepped out of the car and walked around back to talk to one of the teen-agers. The woman heard yelling just before gunshots rang out, police said.
Miller originally told police he was 17, so he was charged as a juvenile.
But at an arraignment Monday in Roanoke Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, it was discovered that he is 18.
Authorities then filed murder and use of firearm charges against Miller as an adult.
But because the victim was 17, the case will remain in juvenile court until a preliminary hearing is held next month. If probable cause is found, the case then will be sent to Circuit Court.
After Miller's true age was learned, Judge Joseph Clarke ordered that he be transferred from Coyner Springs Juvenile Detention Home to the Roanoke City Jail.
Clarke set a $50,000 bond. It was not clear if Miller would be able to make that amount, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Mac Doubles said.
Lisa Miller worries for the safety of the 70-year-old aunt and the 2-year-old granddaughter who still live with her.
"We can't stay at home," she said. "We're afraid."
Staff Writer Laurence Hammack contributed to this story.
Keywords:
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