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

DATE: MONDAY, March 6, 1995                   TAG: 9503070044
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: STAUNTON                                LENGTH: Short

ACCUSED KILLER FOUND DEAD IN CELL

An accused murderer was found dead in his jail cell in an apparent suicide, authorities said Sunday.

Alan W. Riffe, 27, of Waynesboro, was found late Saturday night hanging by his bedclothes from a bar on the cell door, Augusta County Sheriff Glen Lloyd said.

Lloyd said there had been no indication that Riffe was suicidal.

Riffe and Keith O. McCourt, 25, also of Waynesboro, were arrested Jan. 22 for the capital murder of Frank Stafford, 34, of Stanley.

Stafford's body was found in the George Washington Forest. Authorities said he had been shot.

Both Riffe and McCourt were charged with capital murder, robbery and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, authorities said.

Keywords:
FATALITY

by CNB