The News and Observer from Raleigh, North Carolina • 4

II THE NEWS OBSERVER WEDNESDAY MARCH 16 1994 NORTH CAROLNA CONFESSION Victim's sisters weep at Charlotte hearing FROM PAGE 1 A period In many robbery was least one of the death of Tashanda March 1990 started unrequited love details as given who was described polite and extremely during the interview an 18-year-old high in Barnwell when Wallace's attention two had a family Their mothers same factory and was 24 and recent-discharged from the Navy crush on Bethea and her She sometimes rides in his 1980 she resisted his advances Zorn very interested in made him angry" for her last ride on in mid-March According Wallace's statement to her to a wooded town and demanded refused he pulled to do what I want else" Zorn quoted "See what I've raped the woman asked if she At first she said became scared and tell too late Wallace 4- I ost of our crime unfortunately is black-on-black The very idea that we were sitting around playing cards and letting this happen is ridiculous' Richard Vinroot Charlotte mayor 1IMPIM continued A deputy escorted her out under Cayer's order "He took my sister away" the woman said as she left the room Kathy Love another sister of Caroline Love trembled and wept quietly as family members hugged her She was not removed Even those in the courtroom to defend themselves on other charges from assault to public alcohol consumption to soliciting a crime against nature fell silent their eyes drawn to the man who police say killed at least 10 single women during the past 22 months He was a friend of or knew nine of the victims police say Then he slashed her wrists and throat with a box cutter and threw her into a pond about six miles outside Barnwell An autopsy after the body was discovered two weeks later concluded Bethea was caused the delay The shocking murder case the worst ever in the Charlotte area has drawn unwanted national attention Three weeks before the NCAA Final Four basketball championship national television networks aired news reports Monday not about the games but about the murders and scattered public speculation that charges would have been brought sooner if the victims weren't all black as is Wallace "That is just a lot of baloney" Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot said Tuesday "We've got a great police department that has worked hard to crack this case I'm pretty irritated at anybody who would be a Monday morning quarterback "Most of our crime unfortunately is black-on-black The very idea that we were sitting around playing cards and letting this happen is ridiculous" Vinroot said he's not too worried about bad press on the eve of the Final Four "I happen to think this was a great success just before the Final Four" he said "We're not going to try to PR this We've got enough successes to match anybody" before she disappeared Although Wallace had a good reputation and had never been in serious trouble he became the top suspect Forensic experts combed Wal BY MATTHEW EISLEY STAFF WRITER CHARLOTTE Serial killer suspect Henry Louis Wallace was calm almost meek at a brief hearing Tuesday in his first public appearance since police charged him last weekend with Charlotte's worst-ever murder case Relatives of a victim whose body was found Sunday were anything but composed They jumped with a start when deputies escorted Wallace 28 into a small courtroom Handcuffed and wearing an orange jail jumpsuit he kept his head bent down but for a quick glance to see who filled the room "Oh Jesus!" cried a sister of Caroline Love 20 Police say it was Wallace who led them to Caroline Love's body in woods just north of the city He was charged Sunday with strangling 10 young Charlotte women and faces a murder charge in the 1990 strangulation death of a Barnwell SC teenager At Tuesday's hearing relatives tried to calm the sister as District Court Judge David Cayer announced that anyone causing a disturbance would be removed But she could not be consoled and her wracked sobs feared that Bethea would report the crime so he decided to kill her Zorn said He tried twice to choke her attempting strangulation a second time after the victim revived in his back seat 4A CONN CONTINUED over a 22-montl of those slayir apparently at motives But th da Bethea in with a case ol Zorn related th him by Walla scribed as call tremely specifil view Bethea was school senior i she first attral tention The connection worked at the were friends Wallace who discharged developed a cm tried to befrier times accepted Oldsmobile bu more amorous said "She wasn't him and that Zorn said Bethea went an afternoon i cording to Wall police he drov area outside to sex When she out a pistol "You're goini you to do or Wallace as sayi got?" After Wallae an he report( would tell anyol yes but then said she wouldr But it was FOR FIRS TIME CONTINUED over a 22-month of those slayings apparently at motives But the Bethea in with a case of Zorn related the him by Wallace as calm specific Bethea was school senior she first attracted The connection: worked at the were friends Wallace who developed a tried to befriend accepted Oldsmobile but more amorous said "She wasn't him and that Zorn said Bethea went an afternoon to police he drove area outside sex When she out a pistol "You're going you to do or Wallace as saying got?" After Wallace he reportedly would tell anyone yes but then said she wouldn't But it was FOR FIRST TIME! FOR FIRST ME! lace's car for traces of blood hair or fibers from Bethea's clothing but found nothing Days earlier Zorn said Wallace had thoroughly cleaned and vacuumed the vehi: "He was very uncooperative" Zorn remembered "His attitude was 'Either charge me or let me go Put up or shut up' Zorn said he is satisfied that Wallace's confession had closed the case His office is preparing formal murder charges which Wallace will face after the completion of homicide proceedings in Charlotte Meanwhile other South Carolina lawmen are re-examining their unsolved murder cases to see whether any of them might be linked to Wallace In Allendale about 16 miles from Barnwell Police Chief JH Grant reopened a 1987 strangulation case whicti: bore similarities to Wallace's al" leged slayings Like Zorn Grant also traveled to Charlotte on Monday to question Wallace about his case But this time Wallace professed to be innocent Grant said he is still "nearly 100 percent certain" that Wallace will be connected to the 1987 slaying though he admitted it would be difficult to file charges without additional evidence Wallace's latest confession was yet another jolt to his hometown of Barnwell but at least one town resident took some comfort in the news Marguerite Harris Bethea's aunt and her guardian during the last three years of her life said she is relieved to finally learn what happened even though Wallace is the son of a good friend "I'm glad it's over" she said "I'm just sorry it turned out to be him" Four sheriff's deputies and a city police officer guarded the courtroom searched people's bags for weapons and scanned them with a hand-held metal detector Wallace didn't talk except to say he can't afford a lawyer Cayer told Wallace he will get a court-appointed public defender Sturdy and muscular "Bubba" Wallace stands 6-feet-1 and w6ighs 220 pounds Police say he used that strength to take the life of his victims most of whom died by strangulation Charlotte police say Wallace is the prime suspect in the death of another Mecklenburg County woman and the disappearances of two others They're looking again into other disappearances since 1991 when Wallace came to the Charlotte area Wallace worked a string of fast-food jobs in Charlotte moved from apartment to apartment dated around and became addicted to crack cocaine police say Friends and acquaintances say he was well-mannered and well-liked Wallace was charged in 1992 with kidnapping and raping at gunpoint a teenage girl he knew in Rock Hill SC but was free awaiting trial on that charge York County prosecutors say a backlog of almost 7000 cases still alive when she was thrown into the water Afterward homicide investigators quickly narrowed their list of possible suspects to three or four people who were seen with Bethea THE earlier Green fights disclosure A lipro to- 44 rv of 10 fire losses itb 4611pof 0 czt MST 0 The former NC lieutenant governor is seeking keep evidence jury $850000 in insurance payments for a 1991 But in court Tuesday Tilson appeared amazed at the number of Green's claims Learning about i i warehouse fire in Tennessee Green's insurance history he said: "That's a lot of bad luck" BY KIM KENNESON 0 CI I GREENEVILLE Tenn In his 40 Ti II snodne dt 1 eGy eheanv' se a lot okrende ya' srntoonl dg themselves about the number of claims which vary from losses years of doing business former from theft wind damage and fire dlI 1 nit 1 1 111 North Carolina Lt Gov Jimmy Throu the ears Green has lost 4 Green filed 10 claims for fire five tobacco warehouses to fire NN4411 tit losses to buildings he owned making him wise to the ways ticl another burned after he sold A A Ir" AIL Al AIL' I collecting insurance payments of it He also filed insurance claims for fires at two tobacco barns two But those claims don't involve pack houses and a sawmill shan his biggest loss: His tobacco ty warehouse in Greeneville Tenn Green also claimed $12000 in I) I UlLJ13 1: which burned Jan 2 1991 And the old fires shouldn't be allowed as Isle Beach house and $1000 for a evidence in a trial over $850000 in hurricane damage to his Ocean Rolex watch he reported stolen insurance payments for the Ten- from his car nessee warehouse Green's attor- But Green's attorneys say that neys argued Tuesday in US if evidence is presented from District Court those losses the trial on the 1 i IR A 1: "You have this list of 16 losses coupled with this fire and it's into separate trials on each of the circumstantial evidence and you earlier fires And Green will not have then unfairly prejudiced the get a jury" said Howard Jarvis a Knoxville Tenn attorney repre- saying that if you've got ether senting Green evidence that these fires were set Insurance companies sued then tell me about it and if not Green in 1991 seeking a judge's then don't confuse me" said order that they didn't have to pay G7 fair trial the attorneys said ynoeuvrilele going to have a jury warehouse will turn 1 Wade Smith a Raleigh attorney 1 Green for tbe losses on the ware- 4 THIN: lo lily house because they believe the representing Green "If a jur (' OUS A hears this evidence about the Ell 11 'I II fires were intentionally set to collect insurance other fires then we're finished and that's not fair" Green's attorneys also asked FAM mill "Mr Green was insurance- the magistrate to admit evidence wise and he knew this was a way 11 to get rid of these buildings" said showing that Green bought other qh Jimmie Miller an attorney from BRAND NAMES! Is ON I A I Al 14 Kingsport Tenn representing Century Indemnity Co which warehouses after the Greeneville fires purchases that showed he needed space to operate his busi- insured the warehouses nesses and did not intend to keep Epson Canc'n' CCIMPaCI' The hearing in federal court eras ro11 was conducted to determine the insurance money Texas instrum VERY DEPARTMENT! whether Green's losses from his The insurance attorneys said earlier fires could be allowed as however that those buildings evidence in a trial involving th were purchased for other purpos- panasonsimc 0TkoldKatmaieBmotreex I Xerox ---1 Computers and Accessories Calculators Copiers Fax insurance payments for the Ten- es and not related to the loss at the Murata Lotus trate Joe A Tilson heard the The trial is scheduled for Aug Machines Telephones Accessories Answering Machines nessee warehouse US Maps- Greeneville warehouse arguments and will rule on 16 A Microsoft Typewriters Printers Word Processors Computer Software '3 Mc) Smith Corona Carols! Hewlett-Pacard Organizers Office Furniture Equipment Desk Accessories STATE BRIEFS File Cabinets Lamps Paper Products Stationery Business BA1TaatnTc 1 airdl Forms and Supplies Tapes Di RALEIGH GREENVILLE Diskettes Scales Safes Court says student Husband kills wife Registers Supplies Recorders Planners Drafting Sets can't win damages then shoots himself Portfolio Cases and still more! A Surry County siudent who lost A nurse was shot and killed in a an arm after being hit by a car on hospital parking lot by her hus 4111111111111111 campus cannot collect damages band who then shot himself after I during this sale we We accept cash VISA MasterCard American cannot accept checks Office America Credit Cards cam FSU RI IHIEIRND I All items subject to prior sale All sales final Not all tS THROUGHOUT ME STORE! DISCOUNTS WILL BE TAKEN AT THE REGISTERS ON OUR ALREADY LOW LOW EVERYDAY PRICES! NO EXCEPTIONS! because his lawsuit twice failed to his escape was blocked authori- mention that the school board waived immunity the state Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday Charles Brian Gunter lost his and Phone or Fax Orders ties said Express and Discover Sorr pmToheelaZipnitgs occurred about 8 in the parking lot of Pitt Me- al and arose from a left arm after being hit in a drive- continuing domestic dispute po- way at North Surry High School in lice said The man shot his wife a items in all stores ALL APPLICABLE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTIES APPLY 1988 staff nurse and then tried to es- i Gunter sued the driver school cape in a car authorities said officials and the school board in 1990 and 1992 But the lawsuits When his escape was blocked by hospital security the man got out IN failed to say that the school board of his car and shot himself au- YOUR Pleasant Valloy Holly Park had waived its governmental im- thorities and eyewitnesses said munity by purchasing a liability The dead woman was identified AREA Promenado Shopping Center insurance policy Gunter's attor- as Sheila Livingston Moore 35 neys asked to amend the lawsuits Her husband Michael Keith i SHOP 6234-108 Glenwood Avenue 3024 Wake Forest Road to include the statement but his Moore 30 of Robersonville was in AT: Raleigh Raleigh motions were denied The school officials were given critical condition at Pitt Memorial Hospital a summary judgment in their fo- vor which the appeals court up- SHOP REGULAR STOR HOURSHURRY IN FOR BEST SELE ION! held FROM WIRE REPORTS I IL I THE 4 If FAMOUS BRAND NAMES! EpS011 Canon Compaq Texas Instruments GE PanaSONC OWdata Brother Xerox 3M TDK Memorex Microsoft Murata Lotus Smith Corona Cross Hewlett-Paclerd Casio Mont Blanc Bic Olympus Uniden and many many morel We accept cash VISA MasterCard American Express and Discover Sorry during this sale we cannot accept checks Office America Credit Cards and Phone or Fax Orders All items subject to prior sale All sales final Not all items in all stores IN YOUR AREA SHOP AT: SHOP REGULAR EVERY DEPARTMENT! Computers and Accessories Calculators Copiers Fax Machines Telephones Accessories Answering Machines Typewriters Printers Word Processors Computer Software Organizers Office Furniture Equipment Desk Accessories File Cabinets Lamps Paper Products Stationery Business Forms and Supplies Tapes Diskettes Scales Safes Registers Supplies Recorders Planners Drafting Sets Portfolio Cases and still more! Pleasant Valley Promenade 6234-108 Glenwood Avenue Raleigh STO OURSHURRY SAVINGS THROUGHOUT THE STORE! FURTHER DISCOUNTS WILL BE TAKEN AT THE REGISTERS ON OUR ALREADY LOW LOW EVERYDAY PRICES! NO EXCEPTIONS! ALL APPLICABLE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTIES APPLY Holly Park Shopping Center 3024 Wake Forest Road Raleigh FOR BEST SELE ION! Green fights disclosure of 10 earlier fire losses The former NC lieutenant governor is seeking $850000 in insurance payments for a 1991 warehouse fire in Tennessee BY KIMKENNESON CORRESPONDENT GREENEVILLE Tenn In his 40 years of doing business former North Carolina Lt Gov Jimmy Green filed 10 claims for fire losses to buildings he owned making him wise to the ways of collecting insurance payments But those claims don't involve his biggest loss: His tobacco warehouse in Greeneville Tenn which burned Jan 2 1991 And the old fires shouldn't be allowed as evidence in a trial over $850000 in insurance payments for the Tennessee warehouse Green's attorneys argued Tuesday in US District Court "You have this list of 16 losses coupled with this fire and it's circumstantial evidence and you have then unfairly prejudiced the jury" said Howard Jarvis a Knoxville Tenn attorney representing Green Insurance companies sued Green in 1991 seeking a judge's order that they didn't have to pay Green for tbe losses on the warehouse because they believe the fires were intentionally set to collect insurance "Mr Green was insurance-wise and he knew this was a way to get rid of these buildings" said Jimmie Miller an attorney from Kingsport Tenn representing Century Indemnity Co which insured the warehouses The hearing in federal court was conducted to determine whether Green's losses from his earlier fires could be allowed as evidence in a trial involving the insurance payments for the Tennessee warehouse US Magistrate Joe A Tilson heard the arguments and will rule on STATE RALEIGH Court says student can't win damages A Surry County student who lost an arm after being hit by a car on campus cannot collect damages because his lawsuit twice failed to mention that the school board waived immunity the state Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday Charles Brian Gunter lost his left arm after being hit in a driveway at North Surry High School in 1988 Gunter sued the driver school officials and the school board in 1990 and 1992 But the lawsuits failed to say that the school board had waived its governmental immunity by purchasing a liability insurance policy Gunter's attorneys asked to amend the lawsuits to include the statement but his motions were denied The school officials were given a summary judgment in their favor which the appeals court upheld 1 Green's request to keep evidence of the earlier fires away from the jury But in court Tuesday Tilson appeared amazed at the number of Green's claims Learning about Green's insurance history he said: "That's a lot of bad luck" Indeed Green's attorney's told Tilson they have joked among themselves about the number of claims which vary from losses from theft wind damage and fire Through the years Green has lost five tobacco warehouses to fire and another burned after he sold it He also filed insurance claims for fires at two tobacco barns two pack houses and a sawmill shanty Green also claimed $12000 in hurricane damage to his Ocean Isle Beach house and $1000 for a Rolex watch he reported stolen from his car But Green's attorneys say that if evidence is presented from those losses the trial on the Greeneville warehouse will turn into separate trials on each of the earlier fires And Green will not get a fair trial the attorneys said "You're going to have a jury saying that if you've got ether evidence that these fires were set then tell me about it and if not then don't confuse me" said Wade Smith a Raleigh attorney representing Green "If a jury hears this evidence about the other fires then we're finished and that's not fair" Green's attorneys also asked the magistrate to admit evidence showing that Green bought other warehouses after the Greeneville fires purchases that showed he needed space to operate his businesses and did not intend to keep the insurance money The insurance attorneys said however that those buildings were purchased for other purposes and not related to the loss at the Greeneville warehouse The trial is scheduled for Aug 16 BRIEFS GREENVILLE Husband kills wife then shoots himself A nurse was shot and killed in a hospital parking lot by her husband who then shot himself after his escape was blocked authorities said The shootings occurred about 8 pm in the parking lot of Pitt Memorial Hospital and arose from a continuing domestic dispute police said The man shot his wife a staff nurse and then tried to escape in a car authorities said When his escape was blocked by hospital security the man got out of his car and shot himself authorities and eyewitnesses said The dead woman was identified as Sheila Livingston Moore 35 Her husband Michael Keith Moore 30 of Robersonville was in critical condition at Pitt Memorial Hospital FROM WIRE REPORTS.