THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, August 2, 1996 TAG: 9608020484
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LARRY W. BROWN, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: 46 lines
Three teenagers and two adults have been arrested for a savage attack and robbery in Ocean View early Wednesday that left one man dead and another seriously injured.
One of the teenagers knew the victim, Kevin L. Sutton of the 1100 block of Ballentine Blvd., police spokesman Larry Hill said at a news conference Thursday.
Sutton, 26, died from being struck several times with a blunt object and by being strangled, Hill said.
The second victim, Sharnice Prater, 25, of the 9600 block of 9th Bay St., was taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital and treated for his injuries, Hill said.
``It was a cold-blooded attack,'' Hill said.
Charged were Devine Sutton, 25; Anthony Harmon, 34; a 16-year-old male; a 14-year-old male; and a 16-year-old female. All the suspects except the girl lived in the 2200 block of Pretty Lake Ave. The girl is from the 9600 block of 9th Bay St. Devine Sutton is not related to the victim.
All five were charged with capital murder, malicious wounding, two counts of robbery and two counts of abduction.
Police said the attack at the 9th Bay address began between 2:30 and 3:30 a.m. when the 16-year-old male, who knew the victim and had access to the apartment, went inside. The other four followed. It was then the victims were beaten, Hill said.
After the attackers left, Prater made his way out to the apartment's landing and yelled for help. Police were called just after 8 a.m.
The suspects, who police believe left Ocean View in a taxi, were later taken off a Greyhound bus at Fort Eustis after Norfolk police alerted Newport News authorities that they were on the bus bound for Washington.
``The motive appears to be robbery,'' said Hill, noting that money and several other items were missing from the home. ``But some of the suspects were acquainted with the victims.''
All of the suspects were being held without bond. The adults are scheduled to appear in General District Court at 9 a.m. today. The juveniles are expected to be in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court at 10 a.m.
KEYWORDS: ROBBERY ASSAULT MURDER ARREST JUVENILE
CAPITAL MURDER by CNB