ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, January 10, 1996 TAG: 9601100070
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: S.D. HARRINGTON STAFF WRITER
Roanoke County police have arrested a Roanoke man in connection with the fatal beating of a General Imports mechanic whose body was found Jan. 2.
Christopher James Saul, 19, of the 1700 block of Rutrough Road Southeast was arrested on charges of capital murder early Saturday. Police didn't report the arrest until Tuesday.
The body of Christopher Lee Wilson, 26, who lived in the Botetourt County community of Blue Ridge, was found by employees at General Imports Sales & Service when they opened the shop after New Year's. The body was on the floor in the building's garage in the 3200 block of Brambleton Avenue in Southwest Roanoke County.
Autopsy reports showed that Wilson was killed by a blow to the head with a blunt object, such as a club or a piece of metal.
But the killing, the first slaying in the Roanoke Valley this year, remains without a clear motive.
Capt. Ray Lavinder said robbery may have been the motive. Wilson's car was taken from the scene, and police have yet to recover an ATM bank card that belonged to him.
But nothing else was missing from the shop, Lavinder said.
Police are investigating additional details about the killing, such as whether Saul knew Wilson, Lavinder said.
Saul is in jail awaiting an arraignment and bond hearing, which was scheduled for Monday but postponed because of the snow. Lavinder said the hearing could take place this morning.
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