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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, April 27, 1994                   TAG: 9404270114
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: HARRISONBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

GIRL'S TRIAL FOR MURDER NEARLY OVER

The trial in Rockingham Circuit Court of Stephanie Fries, which is being held behind closed doors because of the defendant's age, began Monday.

Stephanie Fries - along with her 14-year-old sister, Camellia, and Stephanie's 15-year-old boyfriend, Shawn Roadcap - was convicted by a juvenile court judge in December of first-degree murder.

All three appealed the convictions to circuit court.

Camellia Fries and Roadcap were convicted of first-degree murder by a jury April15. Their trial was open to the public at the request of one of the defendants.

Acting Commonwealth's Attorney G. Russell Stone Jr. said he probably would rest his case today. Defense attorney Danita Alt said she did not plan to call more than two witnesses, possibly including her client. Jury deliberations could begin this afternoon.

During the April15 trial, police testified that Roadcap confessed to helping Stephanie Fries hold down Marilyn Fries, 35, while Camellia Fries repeatedly plunged an 8-inch knife into the woman's neck and back. The woman was stabbed 16 times.

Marilyn Fries' body was found Sept.4, 1993, in the home she shared with the two girls.

Camellia Fries' lawyer said that Roadcap killed the woman because Marilyn Fries was sending both girls to a military-style boarding school 60 miles away, and he would not be able to see Stephanie Fries. Roadcap's lawyer said the boy tried to talk the girls out of killing their mother, whom they hated because of her rules.

All three defendants were tried as juveniles. If Stephanie Fries is convicted, she would join her sister and Roadcap in state custody. Under state law, none can remain in custody past his or her 21st birthday.