ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, September 19, 1996 TAG: 9609190071
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: ALEXANDRIA
SOURCE: Associated Press
A man involved in a high-speed duel with another driver on a busy commuter route was convicted of killing two other motorists in a triple-fatality crash.
A federal jury deliberated less than two hours Tuesday before convicting Narkey K. Terry of two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of reckless driving. He faces up to 13 years in prison when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema on Nov. 22.
Terry, 26, a Fairfax County computer analyst, remains free on bond. He showed no reaction to the verdict and declined to talk to reporters.
Terry testified that he was a frightened victim of an aggressive driver who died in the crash. He told jurors another car pulled up on his bumper and challenged him repeatedly as the two drove through morning traffic April 17 on the George Washington Memorial Parkway.
``I tried slowing down. The guy would get behind me very closely,'' Terry said.
Terry maintained that he did not cause the crash that killed Billy Canipe, 27, of Sterling. Also killed were two other motorists: Nancy McBrien, 42, of Vienna, and George Smyth, 49, of Poolesville, Md.
Terry, who was not charged in Canipe's death, was treated for a broken ankle.
In his closing argument, Assistant U.S. Attorney Randy Bellows said Terry was fully aware of the danger his duel with Canipe could cause.
``This was no accident. They are culprits, and this was a crime,'' Bellows said.
The verdict pleased the family of one of the victims.
``We hope our tragedy sends a message to the public that this type of behavior is not acceptable and will not be tolerated,'' said Anna Smyth, widow of George Smyth.
Terry's attorney, B.R. Hicks, said his client was made a scapegoat for a crash caused by Canipe.
Another motorist, Walter Kerr, testified Monday that Terry and Canipe raced beside each other, neither allowing the other to pass. He said he watched the cars approach quickly in his rearview mirror and then saw the two men jockeying for position after they passed him.
The case was tried in federal court because the highway is on federal land along the Potomac River.
LENGTH: Medium: 52 lines KEYWORDS: FATALITYby CNB