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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, May 31, 1995                   TAG: 9505310069
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: RICHARD FOSTER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

INTERIM PROSECUTOR SELECTED

Randy Krantz, Bedford County assistant commonwealth's attorney, has been appointed to succeed longtime Commonwealth's Attorney Jim Updike, who was appointed a judge this year.

Krantz, 34, will complete Updike's term, which expires at the end of the year. Krantz also will run as an independent candidate for commonwealth's attorney this fall. It is expected that he will be unopposed.

"I certainly look forward to serving as commonwealth's attorney," Krantz said Tuesday. "I think I'm the best qualified for it. I've got the experience that's needed, and I'm a native of Bedford and Bedford County."

Before becoming a prosecutor in 1992, Krantz worked in private practice in Roanoke. As an assistant commonwealth's attorney, he has successfully prosecuted rape and manslaughter cases and is an advocate for abused children and infants.

Krantz also is active in volunteer rescue and serves on the board of the Blue Ridge Emergency Medical Services Council.

His interim appointment as chief prosecutor was made by a five-judge panel, which included Bedford County Circuit Judge William Sweeney. Krantz will be sworn in June 30.

Updike takes the bench as Bedford County's General District Court judge July 1.

He became commonwealth's attorney in 1979 and was known for his fiery prosecution style. Updike gained widespread recognition for the convictions of University of Virginia honor students Elizabeth Haysom and Jens Soering for the 1985 murder of Haysom's parents.

He ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for state attorney general in 1993.

by CNB