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

DATE: THURSDAY, October 28, 1993                   TAG: 9310280271
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: BOYDTON                                LENGTH: Short

DEATH ROW INMATE FOUND DEAD IN CELL

Death-row inmate Delasandro Barber, awaiting execution in Virginia's electric chair for murdering an Arlington man, was found dead in his cell Wednesday at Mecklenburg Correctional Center.

Barber, 38, was found dead at 3:58 a.m., state Department of Corrections spokesman Ben Hawkins said. Barber appeared to have died of natural causes, but an autopsy will be performed, Hawkins said.

A nurse discovered the death when she tried to check Barber's blood pressure, a procedure required every two hours because of his heart problems, prison officials said.

Barber was convicted a year ago in Arlington Circuit Court and was sentenced to death the following month for murdering William Geddes in his apartment by stabbing him 30 times.

Keywords:
FATALITY

by CNB