THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, February 2, 1995 TAG: 9502020400
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT
LENGTH: Short : 33 lines
A 20-year-old man from the Virgin Islands has been arrested in connection with the 1993 murder of a Navy helicopter pilot who was shot during a robbery attempt while on liberty in St. Thomas.
Nefta Alamu Petersen faces up to life in prison if convicted of the June 16, 1993 attack. The crime led to a breakdown in relations between the Navy and the resort island that was once a favorite port among Navy sailors.
Petersen is accused of killing Lt. Robert Dana Bartlett, who was assigned to the Norfolk-based cruiser Yorktown. He also faces attempted murder and assault charges in the wounding of two other crew members during the attack.
Petersen's arrest ended a cooperative investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, the FBI, the U.S. Marshal Service and Virgin Islands police.
The attack on the Yorktown sailors, along with an incident involving crew members from the carrier Saratoga less than six months later, led the Navy to break off relations with the Caribbean port.
A spokesman for the Atlantic Fleet in Norfolk said Wednesday that the security risk is under investigation and that the Navy still has not given permission for its vessels to visit the island.
KEYWORDS: ARREST MURDER by CNB