Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 1, 1995 TAG: 9506010097
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND LENGTH: Medium
Holland, D-Windsor, met with Ron Angelone, director of the Department of Corrections, to discuss the department's investigation into the discovery of the .32-caliber revolver last Thursday by Willie Lloyd Turner's lawyer, Walter Walvick.
Holland said he still thinks the inquiry ended too quickly, but that he believes Angelone and prison authorities are ``not covering anything up'' in their investigation, which ended Saturday.
Angelone said he found no evidence the gun had been inside the Greensville Correctional Center and suggested its discovery was a hoax. But on Tuesday, Gov. George Allen ordered the state police to pick up the investigation.
Holland said he asked Angelone ``about the serial number on the pistol. He said that it had been filed off. However, there was a secret serial number on it.
``When they manufactured guns some time ago, they put two serial numbers on it,'' said Holland.
He said Angelone told him ``they traced that back and it was sold by a store in Roanoke that's now out of business. ... He said it was probably 1954'' when it was sold.
Walvick said he found the weapon after bringing the typewriter back to his Emporia hotel room within an hour of Turner's execution. Walvick's wife and two reporters were with him when it was found.
Holland, chairman of a Senate subcommittee that oversees prison financing, said he is not satisfied with the scope of the Corrections Department's inquiry.
by CNB