Pubdate: Fri, 13 Jul 2001
Source: Kingsport Times-News (TN)
Copyright: 2001 Kingsport Publishing Corporation
Contact:  http://www.timesnews.net/index.cgi
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1437
Author: Becky Campbell
Note:  Will not publish letters in print editions from online users who do 
not reside in print circulation area, unless they are former residents or 
have some current connection to Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee.

BRISTOL MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO MURDER FOR SUPPLYING LETHAL DOSE OF HEROIN

BLOUNTVILLE - In the first case of its kind in Sullivan County, prosecutors 
have gotten a conviction of murder by distribution of heroin.

Russell Wayne Canter, 48, of Bristol, entered an Alford plea of guilty 
Friday afternoon to second-degree murder in the Oct. 30, 1998, death of 
Seth Guyer. Canter agreed to an 18-year prison sentence.

Guyer's body was found Nov. 10, 1998, inside his truck in a remote area of 
Hickory Tree by hunters. Investigators found evidence of drug use at the 
scene and initially thought it was just a death by overdose.

But as the investigation progressed, Sullivan County Sheriff's Department 
Detective Steve Williams began to receive information that Canter had 
supplied the dose of heroin that according to an autopsy caused Guyer's death.

Assistant District Attorney Barry Staubus told Judge Phyllis Miller that if 
the case had gone to trial, several witnesses would testify that a group of 
people were gathered at Canter's apartment using drugs.

Canter allegedly left the apartment and returned later with heroin. Staubus 
said witnesses would testify that Canter actually injected Guyer with the 
dose of heroin that killed him.

Staubus said an autopsy report showed a lethal amount of morphine in 
Guyer's system and that Medical Examiner Dr. Gretel Harlan would testify 
that heroin breaks down into morphine over time and that Guyer had been 
dead for some time when his body was discovered.

Canter's sentence of 18 years must be served at 100 percent, but he can 
receive up to 15 percent reduction credits from the Department of 
Correction, said Miller.

He has been jailed since his arrest in 1999.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Larry Stevens