THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, June 23, 1995 TAG: 9506230601
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: PORTSMOUTH LENGTH: Short : 27 lines
Armar Rashad Nelson escaped the death penalty on Wednesday when a jury convicted him of first-degree murder instead of capital murder in the killing last year of a Virginia Beach man. The jury recommended a sentence of life in prison plus 26 years.
Nelson, 20, of the 800 block of Mount Vernon Ave., was convicted of first-degree murder, abduction, attempted robbery and using a gun in the killing of Christopher R. Malachi on April 19, 1994.
Nelson shot Malachi several times after trying to rob him with an alleged accomplice.
Police discovered Malachi with his pants and shoes removed behind apartments in Lincoln Park on Lexington Drive.
KEYWORDS: SHOOTING MURDER TRIAL VERDICT
by CNB