Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, February 14, 1995 TAG: 9502140104
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The body of the 70-year-old woman was found Saturday face down, covered in trash. By Weatherford's side was her 32-year-old grandson, Kenneth M. Morris, who has been charged with murder.
Monday, he remained behind bars being held without bond. Authorities said they recovered the weapon used to kill Weatherford in her Centre Avenue Northwest home, where Morris had been staying.
Weatherford and Morris had frequent violent bouts, according to neighbors. Police say they last visited Weatherford's home in the Lansdowne housing project the night of Feb. 5.
A neighbor called police after she saw Weatherford's porch light blinking, a signal concocted by Weatherford to alert the neighbor when she was in trouble.
But when police arrived, there was no complainant around for officers to talk to, Roanoke Maj. J.L. Viar said.
At Morris' brief arraignment in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court early Monday, he appeared calm and showed little emotion, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Ann Gardner said.
Judge John Ferguson appointed the public defender's office to represent Morris and scheduled a preliminary hearing March 13. The issue of bond was not addressed Monday, although Morris could request a bond hearing after meeting with his lawyer.
According to court records, Morris has a drinking problem that had led to several charges.
He has been charged with being drunk in public more than a dozen times and was convicted of drunken driving four times from 1985 to 1992.
In 1986, Morris was convicted of robbery and sentenced to seven years in prison. He was paroled in 1989. Court records show Morris also has been convicted of petty larceny, assault and battery, and giving false information to police.
Keywords:
ROMUR
by CNB