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

DATE: SUNDAY, April 23, 1995                   TAG: 9504240058
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B7   EDITION: STATE 
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                 LENGTH: Short

CAPITAL MURDER TRIAL TO GET IMPORTED JURY

A judge has granted a request by Christopher Goins that the jury for his trial on five counts of capital murder come from outside the Richmond area.

Circuit Judge Thomas N. Nance on Friday ordered that prosecutors and defense lawyers travel with him to Gloucester County to pick the jury May 18. The trial will be held in Richmond beginning May 22.

Defense attorney Robert N. Johnson argued before Nance earlier this month that publicity about the slayings was so pervasive and prejudicial that the judge should either move the trial or bring in jurors.

Prosecutor David M. Hicks objected to the use of outside jurors but acknowledged the extraordinary amount of publicity.

Goins, 21, is charged in the shooting deaths of James Nathaniel Randolph Jr., 34; his girlfriend, Daphne Jones, 29; and her children, Nicole, 9, David, 4, and Robert, 3.

Two other children, 14-year-old Tamika and 18-month-old Kenya, were wounded. Tamika's 7-month-old fetus died as a result of her injuries.

Authorities believe that Goins is the father of the fetus and have requested DNA testing to establish that fact.

In arguing for his request, Johnson said that Richmond Mayor Leonidas B. Young has called for Goins' execution, and City Manager Robert C. Bobb appeared on television waving a picture of Goins.

More than 3,000 people attended the funeral of the victims, and the extended family of those who were there represents a high percentage of the city's 200,000 residents, Johnson said.

by CNB