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

DATE: FRIDAY, March 27, 1992                   TAG: 9203270264
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-1   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Short

CHARGE DROPPED AGAINST MAN ACCUSED OF DESTROYING TREES

A Radford General District Court judge has declined to send a felony charge against a Pulaski County to the grand jury.

Kevin J. Lytton, 18, was charged with destroying 18 trees in west Radford in September.

"We just didn't have the evidence," Commonwealth's Attorney Randal Duncan said Wednesday after a preliminary hearing this week. "Our witness just told a completely different story" than what they told police earlier.

The little leaf linden trees on the median strip on First Street in the city's west end had to be cut down because they were damaged. The replacement value of the trees is $6,300.

The tree vandalism happened just days after about $30,000 in damage was done to West View Cemetery tombstone and markers.

City Council established a $1,000 reward for information about the vandalisms. The reward was increased by a $500 donation from the city's Rotary Club.

by CNB