Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, August 8, 1995 TAG: 9508080062
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: DIANE STRUZZI STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Randy Justin Edwards of Blue Ridge was handcuffed behind his back, but was able to maneuver his hands to the front and hang himself with a shoelace, Major J.L. Viar said.
Police gave this account of what happened:
About 5:30 a.m. officers responded to a burglary-in-progress call at the Wonder Drug Store at 1224 Jamison Ave. S.E. They saw Edwards on the north side of the building, standing by broken glass. A crowbar was wedged in the window and a cash box was at his feet. There was blood on his hands.
Police arrested Edwards, handcuffed him and placed him in the patrol wagon. He remained there for about 20 minutes while police searched the building complex for other suspects.
An officer posted outside the vehicle heard Edwards speaking - even though he was by himself - about five minutes before he was found dead, Viar said.
Before leaving for the Roanoke City Jail, a police sergeant opened the patrol wagon and found Edwards hanging from a shoelace taken from his sneakers. The shoelace was secured to an overhead bar in the patrol wagon. Rescue workers pronounced him dead at the scene.
Edwards had two outstanding burglary warrants filed against him.
Keywords:
FATALITY
by CNB