DATE: Tuesday, September 23, 1997           TAG: 9709230231

SECTION: LOCAL                   PAGE: B9   EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:   59 lines

COURTS & CRIME

NORFOLK

Police identify trio

of Norfolk men slain

in East Ocean View

Police released the names Monday of three Norfolk men who were killed in last week's triple shooting in East Ocean View.

They were identified as William L. Spencer Jr., 19; Terry Chark, 19; and Demetrius Wiley, 24. Spencer and Wiley lived in the 9500 block of 15th Bay St., police said. Chark lived in the 9500 block of 19th Bay St.

Police have not released details about the shooting.

In a news conference last week, officials said drugs were probably involved and that the shooters and victims knew each other.

No one has been arrested and police have not said how many suspects they are looking for.

The fatal shootout occurred Sept. 16 in the 9600 block of 15th Bay, near Pleasant Avenue.

Police and residents said gunfire erupted near the parking lot of an apartment complex. Two of the victims died at the scene, and the third died shortly after arriving at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

The slayings prompted Mayor Paul Fraim and Police Chief Melvin C. High to vow that they will work together to end the violence in the area.

Police said the investigation into the shootings is continuing.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Line at 664-4040 or homicide detectives Pat Dunn or Dave Newman at 664-7023.

Porstmouth

Elton Jackson is given

attorney in murder case

Elton Jackson, the man accused in a strangulation death that bears similarities to 11 deaths attributed to a serial killer, was appointed a public defender on Monday.

Public Defender John H. Underwood III was named to represent Jackson, 41, who is accused in the July 1996 death of Andrew ``Andre'' Smith.

A new lawyer was needed because the case shifted from Chesapeake to Portsmouth last week after new evidence showed that the killing may have occurred in Portsmouth.

Prosecutors have said they are ready to go to trial as scheduled on Oct. 28, but it is unclear whether the defense will be able to proceed so quickly. A trial date is to be set on Oct. 2.

Smith was found nude and strangled on the shoulder of Yadkin Road, a dead-end street in Deep Creek near Interstate 64 and George Washington Highway.

The victims of a serial killer who has stalked Hampton Roads for a decade were found in similar rural settings. Almost all were nude; many had been strangled.

Police have not linked Jackson to the serial killings but have not ruled him out as a suspect. KEYWORDS: SERIAL KILLER HOMOSEXUAL GAY SHOOTING OCEAN

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