2 Youths Are Held In Steward Slaying, Evening Star (Article, August 1954)

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2 Youths Are Held In Steward Slaying

MIAMI, Fla., Aug. 10.--Two Miami youths who planned to "roll" homosexuals for their money were held for investigation of murder in the "lover's lane" slaying of an airlines steward.

Sheriff Thomas J. Kelly identified them as Charles L. Lawrence, 19, a telephone company stockroom [employee], and Lewis R. Killem, 20.

Mr. Kelly said Lawrence, a slim, blond youth, admitted he shot William T. Simpson, 26-year-old Eastern Air Lines steward whose body was found on a deserted road Tuesday.

"After I shot him, I made him get out of the car and give me his wallet," the sheriff quoted Lawrence as saying. "When we left, he was staggering off down the road."

Mr. Simpson's body was found about 500 yards from his convertible. An autopsy showed he had been shot in the right side and death was due to loss of blood.

Mr. Kelly said both youths admitted Mr. Simpson's death resulted from their plan to "roll" homosexuals for their money.

The youths told the sheriff they got the idea from "friends at high school."