The Virginian-Pilot 
                             THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 

              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.



DATE: Friday, March 15, 1996                 TAG: 9603150432

SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 

DATELINE: NORFOLK                            LENGTH: Short :   25 lines

WOMAN IS CHARGED WITH MATE'S DEATH REPORTED AS SUICIDE

Detectives sent Wednesday to investigate a 42-year-old man's reported suicide on Thursday charged his wife with murder.

Police spokesman Larry Hill said detectives keyed on inconsistencies in the case, and asked the victim's wife to speak with them at police headquarters.

Patricia Lawrence, 52, who police said was home when a gunshot ended her husband's life, was charged with murder.

Hill said detectives were dispatched to the couple's home in the 9600 block of 13th Bay St. after David S. Lawrence was shot in the chest about 10:30 p.m. Lawrence died at home.

Hill said a domestic argument led to the shooting.

KEYWORDS: MURDER SHOOTING ARREST by CNB