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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, March 11, 1992                   TAG: 9203110305
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-2   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

BOY, 15, CONVICTED OF `CRACK' CHARGES

A Roanoke jury convicted a 15-year-old boy Tuesday of possessing 17 "rocks" of crack cocaine.

Jury trials involving crack are rare, largely because of a reputation city juries have earned in handing down harsh punishments in such cases.

But because Melvin E. Mike Jr. is a juvenile who was tried as an adult, his sentence will be determined by the judge instead of the jury, said Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Wanda DeWease.

Mike will face a maximum punishment of 10 years in prison at a sentencing hearing next month.

by CNB