ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, March 22, 1996 TAG: 9603220079
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK
Roanoke authorities have dropped traffic charges against a murder suspect who led police on a 20-mile chase that ended with a wreck in the city.
A judge ordered the traffic charges against Shaun M. Love dropped Thursday at the request of Roanoke Commonwealth's Attorney Donald Caldwell.
Love had been charged with reckless driving, failing to stop for a police officer and attempted malicious wounding in Roanoke. But Caldwell said "the interests of justice are better served by the speedy prosecution of the more serious charges."
The 22-year-old Petersburg man is charged with fatally shooting his former girlfriend, Sayonara V. McLaughlin, after breaking into her house several weeks ago in Prince George County. He also is charged with robbing a Lynchburg motel after the slaying.
On the night of March 5, police spotted Love in Bedford County and tried to arrest him. The police pursuit ended on Orange Avenue, when Love's vehicle struck a car.
Caldwell made the decision after consulting with prosecutors in Lynchburg, Amherst County and Prince George County.
Love, who has been held in the Roanoke City Jail since his arrest, most likely will be transferred to Prince George County first to face the murder charge.
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