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

DATE: WEDNESDAY, November 1, 1995                   TAG: 9511010062
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

CHURCH ARSONIST, 12, PLACED ON PROBATION

The youth previously had been ordered to complete a fire safety course and undergo counseling in connection with the arson charge, but was back in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court on Tuesday on a conviction of shoplifting tapes from a record store.

Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Alice Ekirch said the youth needs additional supervision that a term of probation would provide. "I just don't want him to fall through the cracks," she said.

Defense attorney Tom Wray had asked Judge John Ferguson to order additional psychological counseling for his client.

Earlier testimony has shown that the boy, who was 11 at the time, and his 16-year-old cousin set fire to the historic Gainsboro landmark in April just because they wanted to see something burn. The church was destroyed, and the 16-year-old, who also was convicted of arson, later was sent to a juvenile correctional center for an indeterminate term.

Ferguson, who in September had ordered the 12-year-old to spend a night in detention after he learned of the shoplifting charge, asked the youth if he realized how serious the arson offense was.

"Every time I drive by that church, I think of you," he told the boy.