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

DATE: THURSDAY, July 21, 1994                   TAG: 9407210089
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

ADS SEEK INFORMATION ABOUT GIRL'S MURDER

A $1,000 reward is being offered for information not previously disclosed in the sheriff's investigation of the abduction and murder of Phadra Carter - a crime for which a Botetourt County man already is serving a life prison term.

William Layne was convicted in March of abducting and killing Carter, an 11-year-old Rockbridge County girl who was found battered to death in Botetourt County after being taken from her home last September.

Newspaper advertisements in Covington and Rockbridge County ask anyone with information to send his or her name, address and telephone number to a post office box in Roanoke.

Terry Grimes, Layne's attorney, said an appeal is scheduled to be filed in the case by July 29. Grimes has requested a 30-day extension in filing an appeal.

The person who is offering the reward requested anonymity, fearing retaliation in the emotionally charged case. Some outraged Botetourt County residents called the county courthouse, offering to serve on Layne's jury when he went to trial.

That prompted Circuit Judge George E. Honts III to move Layne's trial to Winchester.

"I definitely think there was more than one person involved ...," said the person offering the reward.

"Even if [Billy Layne] was part of it, there was more than one person involved. I can't rest until I find out whether he did it or didn't do it."

Botetourt County Sheriff Reed Kelly said he's sure that Layne acted alone in committing the murder.

"We put on evidence that was so overwhelming that the jury deliberated for only a brief time," Kelly said. "We know William Layne was responsible for that murder. In my opinion, this case is closed."

Layne was convicted in early March of abducting and killing Carter, 11, after snatching her from her Arnolds Valley home near Natural Bridge Station during the wee hours of Sept. 18 while her mother slept.

At Layne's sentencing, Botetourt County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Hagan drew a graphic verbal picture of the crime, saying Carter was abducted, sexually molested, beaten to death and chopped to pieces before being buried in a shallow grave.

Layne escaped the death penalty when a Winchester jury imposed a life sentence instead.

On Wednesday, Hagan expressed outrage at the reward offer.

"I think it's despicable," he said. "Whoever is disseminating the offer should let this child rest in peace."

by CNB