Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, February 18, 1995 TAG: 9502200030
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KATHY LOAN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG LENGTH: Medium
Although Turpin did not contest the second-degree murder charge, he did take issue with a summary of the evidence given in Montgomery County Circuit Court Friday by Commonwealth's Attorney Phil Keith.
Turpin, 29, denied waving a knife and threatening family and friends gathered at his Lick Run Road house just before he fatally stabbed Mickell Allen Turpin, 30, with a hunting knife.
While accepting responsibility for his brother's death, Turpin said it was an accident that happened when Mickell Turpin quickly walked to him and into the knife he was holding.
"It happened in a split second," Gordon Turpin said quietly, snapping his fingers in illustration.
Judge Ray Grubbs accepted Turpin's plea and sentenced him to serve six years of a 10-year prison term. After serving the six years, he will be placed on probation for four years.
Keith told Grubbs that Mickell Turpin and his girlfriend had arrived at Gordon Turpin's home at about 7:50 p.m. on April 8, 1994, and remarked on an apparent domestic dispute between Gordon Turpin and his wife, who had a black eye.
An argument ensued and Gordon Turpin reached for "a rather significant looking knife," and began cursing at the people there, telling them to leave his home, Keith said.
Mickell Turpin's wound was about five inches deep and 21/2 inches long, Keith said.
Turpin told authorities the stabbing was an accident.
"I would say on Mr. Turpin's behalf, he has been most remorseful about this having happened," Keith said.
Beth Patsel, Mickell Turpin's girlfriend, testified at a preliminary hearing last August that the couple planned to leave the gathering after only a few minutes because they could tell Gordon Turpin had been drinking liquor.
Patsel testified that after the stabbing, Gordon Turpin never tried to flee as they waited for deputies and the rescue squad to arrive.
Jimmy Turk, one of Turpin's attorneys, said that while Turpin may see the events that led up to his brother's stabbing differently than authorities, he was not contesting the charge because he didn't want to risk a potentially stiffer sentence if the jury decided the case.
"His plea is based on the risk that is very, very real ... that potentially he would face 40 years," in prison, the maximum that can be imposed for the charge, Turk said.
by CNB