Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, October 13, 1994 TAG: 9410130065
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: TODD JACKSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ROCKY MOUNT LENGTH: Medium
Robert Jarrells, 59, was found shot to death on the porch of his home in the Endicott area of the county the morning of April 15.
Deel, 45, of Dickenson County, was arrested that afternoon by sheriff's deputies who spotted the suspect in a field near Jarrells' home.
Jarrells' wife, Judy, told investigators she was home when her husband was shot. She said she had a struggle with the attacker and managed to get away.
Investigators later determined that Deel and Judy Jarrells, 43, were acquaintances, according to Franklin County Sheriff W.Q. Overton.
Wednesday, during a suppression-of-evidence hearing, Franklin County Commonwealth's Attorney Cliff Hapgood asked Deel to recount what he said to deputies after his arrest April 15.
"I told them Judy was the one who asked me to help her do this," said Deel, dressed in blue jail fatigues.
Franklin County Investigator Gary Shively, testifying before Deel's statement, said he and other investigators were aware of the possibility of Judy Jarrells' involvement in the killing and discussed it the night of April 15.
At issue Wednesday was the admissibility of a confession Deel made to a Franklin County deputy while being transported from the site of his arrest to the county jail.
Deel's attorney, Wayne Inge, argued that the statement was made after Deel requested an attorney and therefore was inadmissable in court.
Deel, however, took the stand Wednesday and said that he did not ask for an attorney at the time of his arrest or any time after that on April 15.
Circuit Judge B.A. Davis III ruled that the evidence can be used during Deel's trial, set for Nov. 8.
Hapgood did not disclose any additional information about Judy Jarrells.
by CNB