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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, September 20, 1995                   TAG: 9509200019
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-2   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE: RADFORD                                LENGTH: Short

RADFORD MAN SENTENCED IN ARSON CASE

Kenneth Dwayne Brightwell, 25, was charged in February with setting the fire at West View Cemetery in January.

Brightwell, who lives on Fifth Street, had previously worked for the cemetery, police said.

Brightwell already was on probation for a previous arson conviction. In that case, Brightwell received a 10-year prison sentence with seven years suspended and was ordered to make restitution of about $20,000 to Junior's Chevron, said Commonwealth's Attorney Randal Duncan. A tire fire there caused considerable damage, including burning a U-Haul truck, Duncan said.

Last week, Brightwell was found guilty of the latest arson charge. Duncan said the storage building was an old two-story house where lawn mowers were stored, along with other maintenance equipment.

Circuit Judge Duane Mink imposed a 10-year prison sentence, but suspended six years of it. After serving four years, Brightwell will be placed on probation for six years. He also was ordered to pay $10,800 in restitution.

Mink ordered that the time be served consecutive to four years imposed for violating probation on the arson charge and two other convictions, meaning Brightwell has a total of eight years to serve.