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

DATE: FRIDAY, April 14, 1995                   TAG: 9504140042
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: FINCASTLE                                LENGTH: Short

KILLER WON'T GET REDUCED SENTENCE

A Botetourt County judge refused Thursday to shorten the prison term of Charles Travis Shelor, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison in connection with a car wreck in May 1994.

Shelor, 23, was driving drunk when his car veered off Virginia 606 on May 1, striking three cedar trees, overturning, and killing Brian W. Andrews, who was riding in the front passenger seat.

Shelor's blood-alcohol content was more than 2 1/2 times the legal limit of intoxication. He also was driving on a suspended license.

At first, he was charged with murder, but he later pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

Thursday, his attorney, Charles Phillips, said Shelor's sentence was harsher than required by Virginia's sentencing guidelines.

Honts disagreed.

"I hear nothing here today that changes my mind," Honts said.

Botetourt County Commonwealth's Attorney Rob Hagan argued against the sentence reduction.

"There is no reason for the court to reopen its judgment," Hagan said. "A killer must pay the price in this society."

RON BROWN

by CNB