THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, August 31, 1994 TAG: 9408310462
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B4 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JACK DORSEY, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
Lt. Cmdr. Michael W. Fricke is expected to serve 20 to 25 years in prison under the life sentence he received Tuesday for ordering his wife's murder.
Fricke, 38, will be eligible for parole in 10 years under the military's parole system but court officials said his term more likely will be longer.
In a voice so low he could barely be heard, Fricke said in court Tuesday that he was sorry he hired someone to kill his wife, Roxanne. He addressed his comments to her mother, Elizabeth Wade, who had shouted at him in court to ``cry'' as he entered his guilty plea Friday.
``I would just like to apologize to Mrs. Wade and her family for the pain I caused,'' Fricke said Tuesday. ``I know I can't return what I took away. I hope someday they can forgive me. I'm sorry. Forgive me.''
More charges may be filed when the case is returned to investigators in Virginia Beach, a Navy prosecutor said.
``I already know they are going to pursue this matter enthusiastically and energetically and you can expect to see something happen,'' said Navy Lt. Jeffrey Henson, the chief prosecutor in the case.
Two remaining suspects, Lamar Brunson and Angelo Rivera, face investigation and possible charges.
Brunson, who has been granted immunity from prosecution, testified against Fricke, saying Fricke approached him about the killing.
Rivera, accused by Brunson of firing the fatal shots, was initially charged with capital murder. But he remains free today after Virginia Beach authorities decided to not pursue the charges because of Brunson's inconsistent testimony against him.
Under terms of the sentencing, Fricke must cooperate with authorities in the continuing investigation.
Fricke's punishment also includes a discharge from the Navy and forfeiture of all pay and allowances. He is expected to keep drawing his base pay of $3,700 a month for 12 to 18 months while his case is under review.
In addition, Marine Col. Craig Carver, the judge in the case, fined Fricke $100,000 - the amount of a life insurance policy taken out on Roxanne Fricke just two months before she was slain. Fricke later collected the full benefit from that policy.
Fricke was given the option of setting up a $100,000 trust fund for the couple's only son, instead.
The boy was 13 months old when his mother was shot twice in the head May 13, 1988, as she entered her car a Virginia Beach supermarket parking lot.
The boy, Vaughn, has since been adopted by Fricke's new wife, Brenda Fricke, who also is raising two children from a previous marriage.
Testifying at Fricke's sentencing hearing Monday, Wade said Roxanne had always said she wanted to marry a Navy officer. She met Michael Fricke in high school and later worked as a grocery store cashier full time to help put him through college, where he received his officer's commission.
When they were transferred to Virginia Beach, Roxanne moved into the couple's first home while her husband was at sea.
``She worked part-time at a bank to save money so she could meet him in France,'' Wade said. ``She enjoyed life to the fullest.''
Fricke's decision to change his plea to guilty last week, after 10 days of trial, removed the risk of a jury conviction and death sentence.
As he entered his plea, Fricke said, he made sure that his wife would be at the parking lot where she was killed by asking her to buy him contact lends solution there.
Fricke will serve his sentence at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
KEYWORDS: MURDER FOR HIRE MURDER TRIAL SENTENCING by CNB