
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, June 9, 1994                    TAG: 9406090481 
SECTION: LOCAL                     PAGE: D3    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY LYNN WALTZ, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: 940609                                 LENGTH: VIRGINIA BEACH

SLAYER GETS 2 LIFE TERMS FOR MURDER AND ROBBERY

{LEAD} Joseph Walter Creamer knocked his former landlord down the stairs, choked him to death, stole his credit cards, bought surfer clothes, then drove the victim's red pickup truck to a New Year's Eve party.

On Wednesday, Creamer escaped the electric chair by pleading guilty to capital murder and robbery in return for two consecutive life sentences. The family of the murdered man - 71-year-old Junius C. Brooks - wished that he hadn't been given a plea agreement. ``We wanted him to get the electric chair,'' one family member said in the courthouse hallway after Creamer's sentencing. ``We wanted 12 jurors to make that decision.''

{REST} ``He murdered my father for money,'' said Brooks son, James ``Bobby'' Brooks. ``I don't think he got what he deserved.''

Attorneys for both the prosecution and defense said they were satisfied with the plea agreement.

Prosecutor Walt Brudzinski said he didn't want to risk a jury reducing the charges against Creamer and that life sentences were the best solution. Creamer will be eligible for parole in 30 years.

Defense attorneys said they didn't want to risk Creamer's life.

``We just thought it was the best way to go,'' defense attorney Theresa Berry said. ``With a jury there's no guarantee.''

Creamer was 20 when Brooks evicted him and his roommates. Creamer, who had no place to stay, broke into the apartment, then called Brooks, disguising his voice, and made an appointment to look at the property. When Brooks arrived to show the apartment, they got into a fight at the top of the stairs. Creamer told police Brooks tried to hit him and that he pushed him in self-defense. That didn't explain why Creamer followed him, choked him to death and cut his neck with a knife.

With about $400 he took from Brooks' wallet, Creamer stole Brooks' truck and drove to a motel. He rented a room and used Brooks' credit cards to go on a shopping spree at an Oceanfront surf shop, then wore his new clothes to go to a party.

Friends at the party recognized Brooks' truck and called police. Creamer was arrested when he left.

{KEYWORDS} MURDER TRIAL SENTENCING ROBBERY

by CNB