MURDER CHARGE FILED IN GAY SAILOR'S KILLING

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

DATE: THURSDAY, February 4, 1993                   TAG: 9302040202
SECTION: NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL                    PAGE: A6   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By Knight-Ridder/Tribune
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short
MURDER CHARGE FILED IN GAY SAILOR'S KILLING
The Navy has told Airman Apprentice Terry Helvey, charged with murdering a homosexual sailor, that it would pursue the death penalty if he pleads innocent in a case that has become a rallying point for gay-rights advocates, Helvey's mother said Wednesday.
Regene Helvey's comments during a telephone interview with the Chicago Tribune came hours after her son was charged with murder in the beating death of Allen Schindler, 22, of Chicago Heights, Ill., who was killed in Japan in October.
Regene Helvey, of Fredericktown, Mo., who has not commented extensively on the case, said she talked to her son by telephone after she learned of the charges through the media.
"He said he was told if he pleaded innocent, he'll get the death penalty; if he pleads guilty, they'll give him 15 to 40 years. He said that he will plead innocent because he is innocent and he'd rather get the death penalty than spend 20 to 40 years in jail having everyone think he is guilty," she said.
The Navy said in Japan on Wednesday that Helvey, 21, was charged with murder after a long investigation of Schindler's death supervised by the commanding officer of the USS Belleau Wood.
Helvey also will face charges of assaulting two shore patrolmen, giving a false statement to Navy authorities and obstructing justice.

by Archana Subramaniam by CNB