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                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, January 9, 1992                   TAG: 9201090612
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                                LENGTH: Short

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JUDGE RULES THAT HE'LL DECIDE TEEN'S PENALTY

The jury deciding the case of a 16-year-old charged with killing two younger boys will not make a recommendation about a possible sentence.

In an unusual move, a judge ruled Tuesday that if Shawn Paul Novak is convicted, the judge alone will decide whether Novak is sent to the electric chair.

Circuit Judge John Moore will preside over Novak's capital murder trial. If Novak is found guilty, the judge will rule within two months.

- Associated Press

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