Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 1, 1993 TAG: 9310010076
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The felony charge was the most serious brought against a dozen teen-agers and young adults who joined a fight at a football game between Patrick Henry and William Fleming high schools the night of Sept. 10.
The 16-year-old, who is not being identified because of his age, was sentenced by Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court Judge John Ferguson to an indeterminate term in a state detention home. He could be held for just a few months or until he turns 21.
Police have estimated that up to 400 people were involved in what police called a "mob scene" that began with a fight between two girls over a boy.
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Greg Phillips said the crowd grew unruly as police began to arrest students on charges of assault and battery.
Hundreds of spectators rushed to see the fight, on a ramp off the east stands of the stadium, as onlookers shouted "Rodney King" and "L.A.," referring to the Los Angeles police-brutality case.
"There was a lot of yelling at the police officers," Phillips said.
Officer E.L. Hopkins was trying to break up the fight when he was hit by the 16-year-old. A class ring the juvenile was wearing caused a cut on Hopkins' forehead that required five stitches, Phillips said.
The 16-year-old pleaded no contest to the charge. He has said that he was only trying to break up the fight between the two girls when police swung at him first, according to Assistant Public Defender Marian Kelley.
At the time of the fight, the 16-year-old was not attending school because of unrelated criminal charges against him.
Most of the other juveniles arrested during the fight have pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of assault and battery or disorderly conduct.
by CNB