William Morva
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William Charles Morva (born c. 1982) is a person who allegedly killed two people, including sheriff's deputy Cpl. Eric Sutphin and hospital security guard Derrick McFarland, in the town of Blacksburg, Virginia near Virginia Tech. He had escaped from custody on August 20, 2006, before being recaptured a day later.
Morva had been in custody awaiting trial for an August 2005 attempted armed robbery of a Deli Mart in Blacksburg. He and an accomplice allegedly attempted to enter the closed store, but left after discovering that the door was locked.[1][2]
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[edit] Background
William Morva lived in the Midlothian, Virginia area until his father, Charles Morva, retired and moved the family to Blacksburg. Charles worked as a substitute teacher at Blacksburg High School until moving back to the Richmond area with his wife, Elizabeth, where he died in April 2004. Acquaintances say that they saw a decline in Morva's behavior after the death of his father.[3][4]
Morva had been a drifter without a permanent fixed address prior to his initial arrest in 2005. A self-professed survivalist, he was almost always without shoes, and spoke of spending nights in the woods around Blacksburg.[5][6]
He was cast in a low-budget 2005 science fiction movie called River of Dread, produced in the Blacksburg area,[7] but lost the part due to his initial arrest in 2005.[citation needed]
[edit] Escape and capture
While in jail awaiting trial for attempted armed robbery, Morva was taken to Montgomery Regional Hospital on August 20, 2006 for a sprained ankle and wrist. After using a hospital bathroom, he assaulted and knocked a deputy unconscious using a metal toilet-paper container. He seized the deputy's gun and shot Derrick McFarland, a hospital security guard who was running to the deputy's aid. McFarland died from his wounds.[8][9]
This initiated a manhunt for Morva, who on the morning of August 21, 2006 shot and killed a Montgomery County sheriff's deputy, Cpl. Eric Sutphin, on the Huckleberry Trail near the Virginia Tech Campus. Police evacuated and searched Squires Student Center on the campus after someone fitting Morva's description was seen inside. However, this sighting turned out to be unfounded.[2][10] Virginia Tech canceled classes and closed campus.[11]
At 3:36 p.m. EDT August 21, 2006, Montgomery County police reported over the police scanner that Morva was captured and taken into custody. He was found hiding in a brier patch about 150 yards from where Sutphin was fatally shot.[2]
[edit] Aftermath and related incidents
Morva's brother, Michael Akos Morva, has been charged with conspiring to escape. The alleged conspiracy occurred in January 2006, when both brothers were in jail on charges related to attempted thefts. Michael has denied any connection with Morva's August 2006 escape from police custody.[12][13][14]
On August 29, 2006, Commonwealth's Attorney Brad Finch announced that Morva will be charged with capital murder and use of a firearm in the shooting death of McFarland. A second capital murder charge will be sought in the shooting death of Sutphin, which will be decided on at the next grand jury meeting on October 10, 2006. Finch has also stated that he will seek the death penalty for Morva.[15][12]
Morva’s defense attorney requested a change of the trial location for Morva’s original robbery charges. The cases include the failed armed robbery of the Blacksburg Deli Mart and attempted burglaries of Blacksburg’s Freedom First Credit Union, Food Time and Burger King. The trial is to be held at Montgomery County Circuit Court, but Morva’s attorneys are arguing it will be impossible to find an impartial jury in Montgomery County due to the publicity Morva has received since his escape and the subsequent murders. Morva’s attorney is quoted as saying, “I don’t think there (have) been this many cases that have gotten nearly as much attention.”[16]
[edit] References
- ^ Eaton, Joe. "Two men arrested in Blacksburg robbery attempt", The Roanoke Times, August 18, 2005, retrieved August 22, 2006.
- ^ a b c "Shooting suspect caught in Blacksburg", The Roanoke Times, August 21, 2006, retrieved August 22, 2006.
- ^ Bowman, Rex. "Fugitive sought in deaths caught", Richmond Times-Dispatch, August 22, 2006, retrieved August 24, 2006.
- ^ Alvis-Banks, Donna. "Shooting suspect called 'wanderer'", The Roanoke Times, August 22, 2006, retrieved August 24, 2006.
- ^ Shear, Michael D. "Suspect Was Legend In Va. Tech Community", The Washington Post, August 23, 2006, retrieved August 23, 2006.
- ^ "Manhunt nabs 'weird' escaped prisoner", CNN.com, August 22, 2006, retrieved August 23, 2006.
- ^ Dellinger, Paul. "Movie makers filming old-style sci-fi mystery", The Roanoke Times, August 13, 2005, retrieved August 22, 2006.
- ^ "Details released on Morva's flight, more news on the aftermath of a deadly escape and manhunt", The Roanoke Times, August 22, 2006, retrieved August 22, 2006.
- ^ Thornton, Tim. "'He was the heart of our family'", The Roanoke Times, August 23, 2006, retrieved August 23, 2006.
- ^ "William Morva arrested after intense search", WSLS.com, August 21, 2006, retrieved August 22, 2006.
- ^ Hincker, Larry. "Suspect in police custody; university to resume normal operations", Virginia Tech News, August 21, 2006, retrieved August 22, 2006.
- ^ a b Morrison, Shawna. [http://www.roanoke.com/news/nrv/wb/80351 "Death penalty will be sought for Morva, prosecutor says "], The Roanoke Times, August 30, 2006, retrieved August 30, 2006.
- ^ "Back in custody: Officers found shooting suspect William Morva hiding underneath thick briars", Pajamas Media, August 22, 2006, URL Accessed: August 25, 2006
- ^ Garrity, Mike. "Captured jail inmate indicted", URL Accessed: August 25, 2006
- ^ "Morva will face new capital charge", Richmond Times-Dispatch, August 29, 2006, retrieved August 29, 2006.
- ^ "Defense blames publicity in attempt to move Morva trial", The Collegiate Times, December 6th, 2006, retrieved December 15, 2006.
[edit] External links
