THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, March 24, 1995 TAG: 9503240444
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
DATELINE: WINFALL LENGTH: Short : 31 lines
Police on Thursday were looking for a 20-year-old North Carolina man accused of bludgeoning to death his 77-year-old uncle.
Christopher Lee Barnes of Rocky Mount, who is white with red hair, was last seen driving a black 1986 Ford F150 pickup with a black camper shell, Perquimans County Sheriff's officials said.
The truck, which belonged to murder victim Harold Copeland of Route 37 in Winfall, bears North Carolina license No. BE8168. The front tag says, ``I'd rather be fishing.''
Barnes was being sought on a first-degree murder warrant, said Perquimans Chief Deputy Dean Cartwright. Copeland was found in his kitchen with severe head wounds about 9 a.m. Tuesday, Cartwright said.
Cartwright said Copeland, who died in Albemarle Hospital early Wednesday, may have been beaten with a brass-handled walking stick.
Officials Thursday had ``no idea'' about motive or Barnes' whereabouts, Cartwright said.
Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call the Perquimans County Sheriff's office, (919) 426-5615, or local law enforcement officials.
KEYWORDS: MURDER by CNB