Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 6, 1995 TAG: 9504060083
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
After hearing testimony Wednesday from doctors and psychologists, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judge John Ferguson released Morris on a recognizance bond that carries restrictions.
Morris, 32, will be allowed to stay either in the care of a relative or at a hospital if his condition worsens. He will be subject to regular checks by police and court officials.
"He's not in a condition at this point to hurt anybody, and he needs medical attention around the clock," said Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Ann Gardner.
Gardner declined to elaborate on Morris' medical condition. His attorney, Assistant Public Defender Marian Kelley, could not be reached for comment.
It was not clear Wednesday what effect Morris' illness would have on his prosecution for the killing of 70-year-old Geneva Weatherford, who was found beaten to death the weekend of Feb. 11 at their apartment in the Lansdowne housing project.
An April 20 preliminary hearing has been postponed.
Also at Wednesday's hearing, Ferguson took under advisement a decision on whether Morris is mentally competent to stand trial.
Ferguson had ordered a mental evaluation last month, and Morris apparently became more seriously ill while he was being examined at a mental hospital.
Weatherford and Morris had frequent fights, neighbors have said. Police say they responded to a disturbance at the apartment on Feb. 5, a week before Weatherford's death.
A call from a neighbor led police back to the Centre Avenue apartment the following week, and they found Weatherford lying face down on the living room floor, covered with trash. An autopsy determined that she had been dead for at least a day.
Morris was in the apartment when police arrived, and authorities found a metal cane nearby that they believe was the murder weapon.
by CNB