The St. Louis Times from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 4

Page 4 The St. Louis Times December 4, 1978 to Dm Other law enforcement authorities fear that Petty's rival, Dennis Haymon, could become a little more bold with the feared Lorenzo behind bars. "Haymon has been losing the battle badly," investigators said. At least three of Haymon's associates have been shot to death and four others wounded in recent months, they said. Only one of Petty's associates has been killed.

"Haymon may see his big chance now to get pven," according to investigators. There are two different theories among authorities as to the nature of the feud" between the Haymon and Petty factions. Some say they are vying for territorial rights in the sale of heroin. "When you've got something that costs 300 times the cost of gold, you're going to have trouble," said Homicide Detective Sgt. Herb Riley.

But others say the fighting has gone beyond territorial control. "I'd call it a power struggle for existence itself," said one high-ranking detective. "It's become a thing of self-preservation. They're shooting each other to keep from getting shot themselves." Authorities said Haymon, 25, of the 3500 block of Vista Avenue, has been in the heroin hierarchy since James Harold "Fat" Woods was convicted of selling heroin and sentenced to 30 years in prison in 1973. Woods had headed a drug sale by Bill Bryan A bloody drug war that has left at least six persons dead and 15 wounded including eight innocent bystanders may be quieting down now that two of the leaders of one faction are in jail, investigators say.

The 10-month war has centered around control of a large chunk of the heroin operation in St. Louis. Authorities hope for an end to the bloodshed following the recent arrest of Lorenzo Petty, the alleged leader of one of the feuding groups. Petty, 29, of the 6600 block of Sacramento Avenue, Northwoods, is being held on $500,000 bond after being charged with federal drug law violations. Also indicted and being held on $250,000 bond is Levi Valentine, 31, of the 1400 block of Angelica Street, who authorities said is Petty's right hand man.

"Lorenzo is maybe the most feared man on the streets of St Louis," said Detective Pete Gober, who together with his partner, Harry Hegger, and federal Drug Enforcement Agency Agent Walter Miller conducted the investigation that led to the arrest of Petty and Valentine. "Lorenzo is one mean dude, and just about everybody is scared to death of him," Gober added. "Maybe, just maybe, with him being locked up, things will cool down." operation in the city's housing projects. Haymon had been a suspect for several drug-related killings. The most publicized was the March 1976 sniper slaying of Earl E.

Williams a reputed drug dealer and lieutenant and "hit man" for Woods. Witnesses were afraid to testify and the case against Haymon was dropped. "That's why Haymon and all the others never get convicted," a detective explained. "Witnesses are deathly afraid to testify in court and I really can't say I blame them." Despite his numerous arrests, Haymon's only conviction was for heroin possession in 1973. He received two years probation.

Police say trouble is nothing new to Petty. When he was 15 years old he stabbed a 21-year-old man to death over 25 cents, the authorities said. Two years later, he was charged with first degree murder in the shooting of a 16- year-old youth. And in 1969, Petty and a younger brother, Joseph, pleaded guilty to manslaughter after being charged with first degree murder in the April 1968 shootings of an 18-year-old man and his 17- year-old girlfriend in the old Pruitt-Igoe housing complex. Lorenzo was released from the state penitentiary in May of 1972 and Joe was released in January of 1974.

Joe Petty, 28, of the 2000 block of East Adelaide Avenue, and another brother, Samuel Petty, 30, of the 200 block of Cardinal Place, work under Lorenzo in the heroin business, authorities believe. Sam is a close associate of black militant H. Rap Brown. Sam and Valentine were released from a New York state prison several months ago after they and Brown and another man were convicted in 1971 of the attempted robbery of 25 persons in a Manhattan bar. Brown was wounded by police in a shootout when the officers interrupted the holdup.

Locally, Sam was a general in the Black Liberators, a militant civil rights group active here in the late 1960s. When Sam was 14 years old he shot and killed an 18- year-old ex-convict, but a coroner's jury refused to rule it a murder after Sam testified he thought the man was going to shoot him first. Authorities are unsure what caused the war between the Haymon and Petty factions, but it may have begun as a fight to control the territory of an alleged cocaine and marijuana dealer who was fatally wounded. Leo Foster, 41, was shot four times in the head and body near his home in the 3700 block of West Florissant Avenue Feb. 26.

He died March 7. Lorenzo Petty was booked suspected of murder, but the charge was later dropped. Since Foster's death, authorities have pieced together the following picture of violence: March 11. A shootoufr at the Confectionary at Carter and College Avenues that is owned and operated by the Petty brothers. Sam says the shooting was a robbery attempt, but authorities are skeptical.

April 22. Another shootout at the confectionary. Three shotguns and two rifles were found in the street and a car rented by Haymon's girlfriend was found abandoned nearby. Lorenzo, who apparently fought off the attackers with his own weapon, says it was simply another robbery attempt, but police believe it was an assassination attempt. April 25.

A body, later identified as Charles Cherry, 27, of the 3800 block of Vest Avenue, was found wrapped in garbage bags inside a steamer trunk in an alley in East St. Louis. Cherry, who had been shot in the head, was a Haymon associate. Authorities said they believe that Lorenzo and Joe shot Cherry because he refused to set up Haymon to be killed. The slaying is still listed as unsolved on the police books.

May 16. Two associates of Haymon, Robert Sanders, 26, and a barmaid at the Blue Room, were wounded in a shooting in the 3900 block of Evans' Avenue. Authorities believe Valentine and Lorenzo or Joe shot the couple. The same shell castings as those found in a later shooting in which a bystander was killed, were recovered at the scene. -May 23.

Ronnie Cook of the 1100 block of North Seventh Street (near where two of the Pettys were arrested 10 days earlier) was dropped off in critical condition at Homer G. Phillips Hospital by unidentified men. Cook had been shot in the head. A bullet-riddled car found near the hospital had been rented by Haymon's girlfriend. May 25.

Kenneth Vaughn," 19, was shot in the left arm as he was driving on Interstate 70 near Grand Boulevard. Vaughn claimed Haymon and two others fired at him from a passing car. Police believe that Haymon thinks that Vaughn shot Cook. June 1. Mekela Mesekela, an African alien who police said was a confidence man, a drug courier and a close associate of the Pettys, was found shot to death in the 5900 block of Stratford Avenue.

The case is still open. June 28. Haymon is charged with The St. Louis Times "We put the best of the Post and Globe together" 51 ST ANNIVlERSAFnr Loretto-Hilton proudly presents Alec McCowen in ST. MARK'S GOSPEL at the American Theatre BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES, DEPARTMENT OF SECTION OF MICROBIOLOGY Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville School of Dental Medicine invites applications for a part-time (50) term appointment faculty member in the Department of Biomedical Sciences (Section of Microbiology).

Assist in the teaching of general microbiology, medical microbiology, immunology, and oral microbiology. Ph.D. degree required and research experience preferred-Applications will be received until December 17, 1978. Position available immediately. As an affirmative action employer, SIU-E offers equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, creed or religion, age, sex, national origin or handicap.

Send curriculum vitae to Dr. Henry M. Cherick, Dean, School of Dental Medicine, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois 62026. DIAGNOSTIC SPECIALTIES, DEPARTMENT OF -SECTION OF ORAL MEDICINE Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville School of Dental Medicine invites applications for part-time faculty positions (term appointments) in the Department of Diagnostic Specialties (Section of Oral Medicine)! Participate in clinical teaching of undergraduate dental students, and review all histories, results of physical examinations, and special diagnostic examinations and determine the appropriateness of the scheduled treatment at the School of Dental Medicine Dental Clinic. Must have D.D.S.

or D.M.D. degree; licensed to practice dentistry in Illinois. Private practice experience preferred. Applications will be received until December 13, 1978. As an affirmative action employer, SIU-E offers equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, creed or religion, age, sex, national origin or handicap.

Send curriculum vitae to Dr. Henry M. Cherrick, Dean, School of Dental Medicine, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois 62026. GENERALIST PROGRAM Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville School of Dental Medicine invites applications for part-time faculty positions in the Generalist Program. Duties involve clinical teaching in the Generalist Clinic.

D.D.S. or D.M.D. degree and license to practice dentistry in one of 50 states required. Experience in private practice of dentistry andor teaching preferred. Applications received until December 23,, 1978.

As an affirmative action employer, SIU-E offers equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, creed or religion, age, sex, national origin, or handicap. Send curriculum vitae to Dr. Henry M. Cherrick, Dean, School of Dental Medicine, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville. Illinois 62026.

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Applications will be received until December 17, 1978. As an affirmative -action employer, SIU-E offers equal employment opportunity without regard to race, color, creed or religion, age, sex, national origin or handicap. Send curriculum vitae to Dr. Henry M. Cherrick, Dean, School of Dental Medicine, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Edwardsville, Illinois 62026.

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