[09/10/02]A Vicksburg man and retired employee of Waterways Experiment Station was the apparent victim of a robbery and murder in Asheville N.C., officials there said.

Buncombe County Sheriff Bobby Medford said Jimmy Lee Scott, 58, 2000 Redbone Road, was found shot to death Sunday night near a road in the north part of Buncombe County in western North Carolina.

Medford said his office arrested Christopher Lael Pittard, 25, Brunswick, Ga., at an Asheville bar earlier Sunday. Although wanted for several probation violations in Georgia and armed with a handgun, Pittard offered no resistance when confronted by officers, Medford said

Pittard was jailed without bond in Asheville on a first-degree murder charge, Medford said. He could face the death penalty if convicted.

Vicksburg friends of Scott said he had retired for health reasons from the Structures Laboratory at WES about 15 years ago. He was a heavy-equipment operator and often worked for local contractors.

Medford said his office was told Scott often traveled to North Carolina on monthlong vacations, traveling in a pickup and travel trailer. Friends in Vicksburg confirmed this, saying Scott loved to visit that part of the country.

Medford said Scott had been reported missing Aug. 29 by an Asheville friend who became worried when he had not contacted her in several days.

Medford said Scott had parked his camper trailer and pickup in a campground near the French Broad River at Asheville. He believes Pittard was camping in the same area.

After Pittard was taken into custody, he gave investigators a statement concerning Scott’s death and showed them where to find his body, Medford said. The investigation also turned up the parts of the .380-caliber handgun believed to be the weapon used to shoot Scott about 10 days ago.

The arrest also yielded missing property belonging to Scott, including his vehicle and trailer, Medford said.

Frank J. Fisher Funeral Home of Vicksburg will be in charge of arrangements.