Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, November 24, 1994 TAG: 9411260025
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-7 EDITION: HOLIDAY
SOURCE: RON BROWN STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: FINCASTLE LENGTH: Medium
Then a judge this week dropped a murder charge against the man accused in the death of Brian W. Andrews.
"I felt let down by the judicial system," Andrews said Wednesday. "This boy would not be on the street if the people who enforce the laws would have recognized this habitual offender when he was tried on previous drunken driving charges."
Charles Travis Shelor, 23, still faces aggravated involuntary manslaughter and drunken driving charges in connection with the May 1 crash that killed Brian Andrews, 20.
Police have said that Shelor didn't have a valid driver's license when the car he was driving ran off Virginia 606, struck several trees and overturned.
Shelor, who police say had a blood-alcohol content more than 21/2 times the legal limit for intoxication, says he wasn't driving the car.
David Andrews said he's particularly disturbed by Botetourt Circuit Judge George Honts' decision not to allow prosecutors to present Shelor's driving record at the time of trial.
"This guy is a habitual criminal when he gets behind the wheel," Andrews said. "If [the judge] was in my shoes, he would want someone who would hold him accountable for his actions. I feel as though the system has cheated someone who has been cheated of their life."
Honts' ruling came after defense attorneys made pretrial motions last week. Shelor still could face a 20-year prison term if convicted on the other charges.
Shelor's license was suspended for three years after he was convicted in December 1992 on drunken-driving charges for the second time.
"I've been trying to stay away from the subject lately because of the pain it causes," Andrews said. "I'm hurt. I never got to spend the time with my son that I wish I could have."
by CNB