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

DATE: THURSDAY, June 15, 1995                   TAG: 9506150059
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: LYNCHBURG                                LENGTH: Short

KILLER TO BE HOSPITALIZED INDEFINITELY

Douglas John, 64, of Lynchburg, was returned to Central State Hospital indefinitely after Tuesday's verdict. He had confessed to police that he shot his wife, Gypsy John, on May 9, 1994, before turning the gun on himself. He had been charged with murder and the use of a firearm in commission of a felony.

John once taught at The Citadel in South Carolina and Liberty Baptist College, now Liberty University, in Lynchburg.

There will be periodic hearings on whether to release John from the Petersburg hospital, but Lynchburg Commonwealth's Attorney William Petty said he expects John to remain hospitalized for the rest of his life.

John told police he shot his wife and then shot himself in the chest because he didn't want anything to happen to her. Doctors at the trial testified that John, who was scheduled for surgery the day of the shooting, was convinced something would harm his wife if he were to die.

John was fired in the 1980s from Liberty Baptist College. According to testimony, his delusions became more intense and often were directed at the school's chancellor, the Rev. Jerry Falwell.

- Associated Press