In the quiet city of Danville, Virginia, a grim discovery unfolded in late November of 1996, shattering the community's sense of peace. Archie D. Moore Jr., a 33-year-old male, was found deceased in his apartment on November 28, 1996, just two days after he was murdered. Concern arose when Moore failed to pick up his sister from the airport, prompting police to investigate his residence.
What they found was a horrifying scene; Moore's body had been placed in a closet, with a plastic bag over his head. The cause of death was a gunshot wound to his head.
The investigation into Moore's death quickly led authorities to a then 18-year-old named Percy Levar Walton. Witnesses reported seeing Walton driving Moore's car, which proved to be a critical link in the case. Walton's arrest brought to light a shocking series of violent crimes. It was soon discovered that Moore was not Walton's only victim. An elderly couple, Elizabeth and Jessie Kendrick, had also been found murdered in their home a few days prior, and evidence connected Walton to their deaths as well.
Percy Levar Walton ultimately pleaded guilty to an extensive list of charges, including four counts of capital murder for the deaths of Moore and the Kendricks, robbery, and burglary. In 1997, he was convicted and sentenced to death for these brutal acts. However, the legal proceedings that followed were complex. Concerns about Walton's mental health led to multiple delays in his execution. An examination revealed significant mental impairments, including a low IQ.
In 2008, the course of justice took a significant turn when Virginia's governor at the time commuted Walton's death sentence to life in prison without the possibility of parole. This decision was based on the findings of his mental evaluation. Walton was subsequently moved to a treatment center equipped to handle inmates with mental health issues. The case, which had brought so much tragedy to Danville, concluded with the perpetrator behind bars for life, leaving a lasting memory of the violent crimes that had taken three innocent lives.
