Lumberton, N.C. Established 1870 www.robesonian.com Heartland Publications, LLC All Rights Reserved Tuesday December 20, 2011 Volume 142 No. 227 he obesonian Daily T R Sunday 50¢ $1 Man could face death penalty Convicted of double-murder in 2007 Teddy Kulmala 2007, murders of Lee Chavis of their employer and Oxendine’s were shooting at them from the Staff writer and Darrick Locklear and shoot- father, Merlin, when a black sedan other side,” she said. Merlin ing and injuring Jason Bryant pulled up in the driveway. Oxendine went inside, grabbed a LUMBERTON — The sentenc- Oxendine. The shootings took Duvall said that a passenger in gun and returned fire. ing phase began on Monday for place at a mobile home at 615 the rear driver’s side seat got out, “The evidence suggested, and a Brooklyn, N.Y., man who was Lumbee Ave., in the Raft Swamp and the driver began shooting at the jury apparently agreed with found guilty on Friday of first- community. Robinson faces either the men. Oxendine and Chavis that, that the defendant was the degree murder, second-degree the death penalty or life in prison. saw the driver shoot Locklear and one driving the car and he got murder and assault with a deadly Prosecutor Martha Duvall said ran toward the backside of the shot by Merlin,” Duvall said. “He weapon inflicting serious injury. that sometime between 5:30 and house, Duvall said. tried to get away by jumping in Larry Bonnell Shawn Robinson 6 p.m., Chavis, Locklear and “Two more shooters came from was found guilty of the May 2, Oxendine were leaving the home the other side of the house and See PENALTY | 8A Larry Bonnell Robinson Man Season dies in for giving crash Kindergartener Leticia Regino receives her present Teen severely hurt from Santa Claus Monday at Magnolia Elementary School Staff report on Monday. The school gifted 125 students with pres- RED SPRINGS — A Red ents from donors. Guests Springs man was killed in attendance included Saturday and a teenage girl Sen. Michael Walters, Rep. severely injured when his Charles Graham, county car crossed the center line Commissioners David Edge and collided head on with and Jerry Stephens, Lumbee her vehicle, according to the Tribal Chairman Paul Brooks state Highway Patrol. and other community mem- Charles Raven Locklear, bers. 52, of 3244 Old Lowery Contributed photo Road, Red Springs, was traveling west on Mt. Tabor Road about a mile east of Red Springs at about 11:30 p.m. Saturday when his 1991 Pontiac struck a 1990 Honda that was being driv- en east by Brittany Michelle Caulder, 19, of Greensboro, according to Trooper W.A. Richardson’s report. Judges refuse to fast track The report said that tests were being done to see if Locklear had been drink- ing, but any results would not be available for weeks. trial on redistricting maps Locklear was not wearing a seat belt. Gary D. Robertson of drawing lines that harm blacks and will totals. Caulder, who was wear- Associated Press confuse voters. Republican mapmakers and Monday’s six-page order set another ing a seat belt, was trans- state attorneys defend the maps as lawful. hearing tentatively set for Jan. 12 to listen ported to Southeastern RALEIGH — Judges hearing redistrict- The judges rejected the request of the to a motion by the state and Legislature to Regional Medical Center in ing lawsuits declined Monday to order a attorneys who sued that the combined cases ask the cases be thrown out because they Lumberton and later trans- fast-track trial sought by those challenging go to trial Feb. 2. The lawyers argued their lack merit. The motion to dismiss was filed ported to Duke University the new boundaries for North Carolina leg- schedule would bring less disruption to the late Monday. Medical Center. Her condi- islative and congressional seats, but they 2012 elections. The candidate filing period The panel — Superior Court Judges Paul tion today was not available, set a key hearing date for next month. begins Feb. 13. Ridgeway of Wake County, Alma Hinton of but the report indicated that A three-judge panel set a scheduling One of the judges called the request an Halifax County and Joseph Crosswhite of her injuries were severe. order to consider together the two lawsuits “extraordinary timetable” during a court Iredell County — gave no explanation in The cars were traveling at — one filed by Democratic elected leaders hearing late last week. The hearing was Monday’s order for its decision. The judges an estimated 55 mph, which and the other by voting and civil rights first for this round of the once-a-decade is the posted speed limit for advocacy groups — that accuse legislators mapping based on U.S. census population See JUDGES | 3A that zone. Wednesday deadline draws near; Stocking Fund surges past $30,500 Dr. Peter Villani, left, and Dr. Sam Britt pres- Twenty-nine new dona- given in honor of all the eral other gifts from indi- ent a check for $1,000 tions have pushed The employees at Southeastern vidual departments at the from Lumberton Empty Stocking Fund past Regional Medical Center hospital. Surgical Associates. the $30,500 mark with who take care of the clin- We also have gifts from just today and Wednesday ic’s patients. All 29 of the second graders at Union The Robesonian remaining to contribute. gifts are for at least $15, Elementary, Asbury United The largest gift today, meaning each one will be Methodist Church, the which is for $1,000, comes matched with a $25 dona- Gardenettes of Lumberton from the Lumberton tion from an anonymous Surgical Associates and is donor. There are also sev- See FUND | 3A WEATHER INDEX OBITUARIES SPORTS Classifieds . 5B Betty Chavis, 79, Rowland Comics . 7A Charles Locklear, 52, Red Springs Wanted Virginia Walters, 69, Lumberton Editorial . 4A Billy Hodge, 86, Fairmont wideout Nation . 5A Hansford Gentry, 88, Laurinburg Sports . 1B Larry Garner, 68, Bladenboro Former Pirate State . 2A Jonathan McGirt, 3 months, Red Springs North a standout World . 6A John Navarro Jr., 54, Raeford Page 8A recruit. 72/57 Page 1B Obituaries Archives News Sports Features www.robesonian.com 2A — The RobesoniAn, TuesdAy, decembeR 20, 2011 LOCAL/STATE www.robesonian.com AG says 18 charged in Medicaid fraud busts RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — the start of a statewide sweep needy patients, wastes tax- allegedly gave false information also known as Terry Wright, Thirteen home health work- aimed at cracking down on payer money, and drives up when applying to be a Medicaid said she didn’t know him. ers, a speech therapist and people suspected of cheating health care costs,” Cooper said. home-care provider and billing Other busts were carried the operator of a group home the health program for the poor “We’re sending a strong signal for services to dead recipients, out in Alleghany, Cumberland, are among 18 people who face and disabled. Most of those to those who defraud Medicaid costing the program more than Gaston, Harnett, Hertford, charges of defrauding North arrested last week were home- that we will find you and make $200,000, Cooper’s office said. Pitt, Robeson, Union, Wake Carolina’s Medicaid system health workers who were paid you pay.” Kendar Malik Muhammad was and Wayne counties, the attor- and the taxpayers who support for time they didn’t work. Authorities allege the charged with obtaining proper- ney general’s office said. State it, the state Justice Department More suspects are expected suspects took in more than ty by false pretenses, the attor- authorities recovered $49 said Monday. to be arrested soon, Attorney $500,000 in fraudulent pay- ney general’s office said. million from Medicaid abus- The suspects in ten coun- General Roy Cooper said. ments. A woman answering a call to ers in the year that ended in ties were arrested last week at “Ripping off Medicaid hurts One Guilford County man a number listed for Muhammad, September, Cooper’s office said. Crime Report McCrory promises second run for governor staff Report RALEIGH(AP) McCrory said he He's also been slowly the first half of 2011. law firm, said Monday — Republican Pat wanted to make assembling a campaign Perdue has been strug- he'd give more details n Thefts McCrory confirmed clear his inten- team and raising money gling throughout her at his official announce- Monday what's been tions. with assistance this fall three years in office to ment about why he PARKTON — Carveler the least-disguised "I am con- from Govs. Chris Christie overcome a poor national should get a second Smith, of 3783 Glenn Road decision in North vinced that now of New Jersey and Bobby economy and uncertain chance to move to the in Parkton, reported on Carolina politics is the time to Jindal of Louisiana. state government fiscal Executive Mansion but Friday that someone broke for months — the run for governor McCrory's political com- picture. pointed to his personal into his home through a former Charlotte and bring the mittee was competitive McCrory, who works at and government expe- back window and took a mayor is running Pat McCrory changes to a bro- with Perdue's campaign his brother's consulting riences and leadership $2,000 television, a $150 for governor again. ken government on fundraising through company and a Charlotte skills. mp3 player and five hats In an interview with and hopefully gener- valued at $125, according The Associated Press, the ate an environment that to a sheriff’s report. GOP's 2008 gubernatori- allows our economy to "257&5'4-&)'%// n al nominee said he's "100 grow in North Carolina," Break-ins percent committed" to McCrory said, adding "I ! 1/ .&"./3%+%2"!"(&2".5/".2& ",.+(")+.-1"/0&+* * (( The following people and seek the Republican nom- just think it's important +1.&.