1975

Suspect Arraigned In Death Of Singer

LOS ANGELES, July 9 --- A suspected drug pusher believed to have sold Tim Buckley, 28-year-old folk singer and composer, heroin that resulted in his death by drug overdose, was arraigned today on murder charges in a Santa Monica courtroom.

Richard Keeling, 30, was arraigned on one count of murder and one count of furnishing heroin and held in lieu of $10,000 bail.

Yesterday, the Los Angeles County Coroner's office announced that Mr. Buckley, originally thought to have died of a heart attack June 29 while climbing the stairs of his Santa Monica apartment, had instead been the victim of a liquor and heroin overdose.

Mr. Buckley was the composer of several folk songs, but his best known was Sweet Surrender.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled for Mr. Keeling for August 14.