Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, January 13, 1995 TAG: 9501130113
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Wednesday morning, Kelly watched Frank Johnson Lee drive out of the Williamson Road lot in a black Chevrolet Camaro. Kelly hasn't seen the car since.
Police had been looking for Lee since Tuesday, when the Craig County man was charged with killing Fran Smith, a Hampton woman who took him in after he was released on parole.
Kelly, who talked with Lee over a cup of coffee Wednesday morning, said he seemed like a nice, well-mannered guy.
"He played it good. He wasn't in a hurry - he didn't even particularly want to test drive the car. ... And he insisted on leaving the key to the Daihatsu," Kelly said.
Police were looking for that gold Daihatsu, with the personalized tag FRAN 90. The car, which belonged to Smith, had been missing since she was found bludgeoned to death in her Hampton apartment Tuesday.
According to the Newport News Daily Press, Smith met Lee on Jan. 4 when she picked him up at the Hampton bus station.
The 55-year-old former waitress had been Lee's pen pal while he served five years in prison for obtaining merchandise by false pretenses. Smith offered Lee her home to help him get back on his feet.
Kelly said Lee told him he was planning to pick up a settlement from an attorney downtown, so he didn't bother to ask about Lee's place of employment.
"He named a lawyer I was familiar with and the location - plus he had that [Daihatsu], so I figured he was in good shape financially," Kelly said.
Kelly just photocopied Lee's driver's license and asked him fill out a form. Lee gave an address in New Castle, his hometown.
Lee even called about three hours after he took the car, Kelly said.
"He told me he was going to take [the Camaro] to a mechanic, so I didn't start to worry until about 6," he said.
Kelly said he hadn't heard anything about the Hampton murder until he called Roanoke County police Wednesday night.
Sgt. Roger Robinson said he's hoping someone will spot the black Camaro - with the dealer tag 46381 - and call police.
"We've got a state- and nationwide search out on the vehicle," Robinson said. "I hope we catch him here in Roanoke, so we can end all the manpower out looking for him."
Before Lee went to Roanoke, he stopped in Troutville to pick up some items from his former girlfriend Denise Moran, Botetourt Sheriff's Capt. Gary Guilliams said.
Moran still was dating Lee when he was serving time in prison.
In December 1991, she wrote a letter to Roanoke Circuit Judge Roy Willett asking that Lee be released on early parole.
"He is trying real hard to be a good person and to make a life when he gets out," Moran - then Denise Pelletier - said in the letter. "I love him, and we are planning to be married as soon as he gets out."
Moran could not be reached Thursday for comment.
Moran's sister - who lives in Roanoke but would not give her name - said she also knew Lee, and that neither she nor her sister believes he is capable of a violent act.
"He just got in trouble for cashing bad checks - petty stuff. That's why it's so damn hard to believe he would murder someone. I just keep hoping I'll wake up and this will all be a nightmare."
She said Lee and her sister remained friends after they broke up. She said they hope Lee will contact Moran again.
"He's making himself look guilty by taking that Camaro and running from this," she said.
by CNB