The Region : San Diego Newspaper Publisher Slain

The publisher of the only black community newspaper in San Diego was found slain in his home. William H. Thompson, 61, was found dead of stab wounds to the neck and torso by police responding to a burglary call. Homicide detectives said they were seeking a 1984 Toronado with the license plate number 1KVW768 that was seen in the area. Thompson bought Voice and Viewpoint in 1985 and became its publisher. Thompson built condominiums and apartments in the largely black areas of Southeast San Diego. An organization of black businessmen had planned to honor Thompson Sunday as the 1986 Businessman of the Year. Thompson was at times a controversial figure. In 1974, he was convicted of misusing federal Model Cities funds earmarked for low-income housing. He also was convicted in 1965 of conspiring to steal property from military bases in the Sacramento area and served more than two years in federal prison.