Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 29, 1993 TAG: 9305290347
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Anthony Arrington, 32, received a suspended sentence after Councilman Mac McCadden, his high school coach and teacher, testified that he would take personal responsibility for his supervision.
McCadden said he got involved because too many young people are falling into the same trap that caught Arrington.
"I think it might be a model for African-American kids to realize that you can screw up and still make it, if people don't give up on you and you don't give up on yourself," McCadden said.
After not seeing or hearing from Arrington in years, McCadden ran into him downtown in October. Arrington was strung out on crack, and it showed, McCadden said.
"He was 175 pounds worth of nothing," he said. McCadden gave him his business card and told him to call if he ever needed help.
Several weeks later, McCadden's telephone rang in the middle of the night. His former student was in jail, charged with assisting in a crack cocaine deal on Melrose Avenue Northwest.
Authorities later reduced the charge to distributing as an accommodation, meaning Arrington played a minor role in the deal and did not gain financially.
Roanoke Circuit Judge Clifford Weckstein sentenced Arrington on Friday to the maximum 10 years, but suspended the term on several conditions: that Arrington receive drug treatment monitored by a court community program; that he complete his college education; and that he perform a "substantial amount" of community service.
In an unusual step, Weckstein included McCadden's supervision as a condition of probation.
McCadden, who identified himself in testimony as a USAir district sales manager, said afterward that his seat on City Council had nothing to do with the case.
"I did not want my public role to have any effect on this," he said. "I just wanted to show people that we can't afford to have another young man fall through the cracks."
Defense attorney Charles Allen said Arrington was a football standout in high school before playing at Virginia Union. Arrington testified that he played briefly for the Washington Redskins as a replacement during the 1987 strike of professional players.
When Arrington got into drugs recently, it was not his first time. He dropped out of college his senior year after having similar problems.
"God blessed me with a lot of talent, but I haven't been using it right," he testified. "I just want to make amends to all of the people I have hurt."
Weckstein cut him off at one point. "How many times have you made this speech?" he asked. "My guess is a bunch. . . . You have now developed an extensive background in screwing up, haven't you?"
Still, Weckstein said it was unusual for a defendant to bring a supporter like McCadden to court. "I'm going to give you the chance to realize that potential you've been talking about," he told Arrington.
Arrington will be held without bond until a July hearing, when details of his probation will be finalized.
"If we as a community can save him," McCadden said, "I think it will give other people hope."
by CNB