Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 2, 1995 TAG: 9505020103
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LISA APPLEGATE AND LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITERS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
During a hearing in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Judge Joseph Clarke agreed that the youth "needs to be in some secure setting."
At the time of last month's fire, the boy was awaiting placement in a home in Richmond as the result of an earlier proceeding against him in Juvenile Court.
Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Gerald Teaster declined to elaborate on the previous case, which was described in court only as something less serious than the arson charge.
The youth, dressed in blue jeans and a striped short-sleeve shirt, showed little emotion at Monday's hearing, except to glance wide-eyed several times at his parents, who were seated in the front row.
After hearing from the 16-year-old's mother, Clarke decided to keep the youth incarcerated at Coyner Springs Juvenile Detention Center until he can be transferred to the facility in Richmond.
"I ask that you allow him the chance to go to [the facility] so he can get the help that he needs," the teen's mother told Clarke. She said her son has experienced emotional problems in the past.
Roanoke police charged the boy, who lives a few blocks from the historic church, with arson Saturday. His 11-year-old cousin, who lives in Roanoke County but visited the area occasionally, also has been charged.
Although the 11-year-old was charged Monday, authorities decided not to place him in detention. Clarke appointed the public defender's office to represent the 16-year-old and scheduled a May 18 court date for both youths.
Meanwhile, the news that the fire may have been purposely set was not a surprise to some.
For three years, Rusty Pritchett has been a consultant on the church's restoration as an arts center.
``I'd always assumed it was arson, since we'd turned the power off,'' he said. ``I couldn't see how we could generate any source of heat'' for a fire.
Pritchett said the last time any work was done to the building was April 18, five days before the fire devoured the 97-year-old structure.
``It makes me feel better, only because a lot of people thought the construction work had started the fire,'' he said.
Pritchett said he had never seen any severe vandalism, just a few broken windows or a can of paint sprayed inside.
``I'm not angry,'' said Evelyn Bethel, president of the Historic Gainsboro Preservation District Inc. ``I'm extremely disappointed - that they suspect arson, that there's a possibility two teens were involved, that there was a fire in the first place.''
Bethel said for years there were broken windows on the first floor and the side facing an alley that could have invited vandals.
``But the only time I saw activity were the men working on the church,''she said.
Bethel, who had been outspoken about the need for an investigation, said she was pleased to know police were trying to find the cause.
She hoped it would continue, she said, until all the answers were found.
Gilmer Avenue resident Elaina Duckett questioned whether there were more people involved than just the two boys.
``There have always been fires down there,'' she said.
She said the old First Baptist Church is the heart of the Gainsboro community.
``If that goes, the neighborhood goes,'' Duckett said. ``Let's find out if there is anyone behind this.''
Memo: ***CORRECTION***