Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 12, 1995 TAG: 9501120063
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: SARAH HUNTLEY STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Judge Kenneth Trabue ordered Long jailed until the October sentencing, but also said the 19-year-old Bedford resident should apply for work release and start paying restitution immediately.
"We'll see how you do," Trabue told Long at Wednesday's hearing. "You've got a lot of time to prove yourself."
Long pleaded no contest to three felony counts of shooting at an occupied dwelling Feb. 10 during a joy ride that ended with random shots being fired into two houses and a trailer on Wildwood Road.
The families were home at the time, and one round of ammunition whizzed by a sleeping resident, less than four feet from his head, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Mark Claytor said. No one was injured. The bullets, some of which police found lodged in the walls, caused nearly $4,000 worth of damage, according to court documents.
Claytor told the court Wednesday that Long did not fire the weapon in the drive-by shooting. But he provided the SKS semiautomatic rifle, a banana clip and about 30 rounds of ammunition used by his co-defendants, Claytor said. Long was driving the vehicle, Claytor said.
The assistant commonwealth's attorney had requested a nine-year sentence, suspended after two years in jail, saying he recognized the fact that Long cooperated with the authorities after a detective contacted him. In addition, Long's family testified that he "has turned around 100 percent" since his arrest.
But Long's juvenile record troubled Trabue. Long was arrested for possession of a firearm when he was in middle school, but the case was dismissed after he performed 25 hours of community service. The court's leniency at that time did not deter Long from becoming involved in the Wildwood Road shooting, Trabue said.
An adult co-defendent, Anthony H. Fesperman II, 19, of Salem, is scheduled to appear in court Jan. 19 for sentencing on one count of shooting at an occupied dwelling.
Police also arrested two juveniles in connection with the case. One of the boys, 17, had an extensive juvenile record and was committed to Natural Bridge Learning Center, a juvenile detention facility, Claytor said. The other youth, who had no prior record, was charged with three counts, but his commitment was suspended.
by CNB