ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Friday, May 10, 1996 TAG: 9605100089
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
DATELINE: WINCHESTER
SOURCE: Associated Press
A teen-ager was sentenced Thursday to 10 years in prison for fatally beating a 2-year-old girl he was baby-sitting.
Raycharo L. Johnson, 17, of Front Royal reached an agreement on an Alford plea at his trial in the Nov. 10 slaying of Aeriuna Powell.
The plea agreement with Commonwealth's Attorney Paul Thomson called for a 30-year sentence, with all but 10 years suspended.
An Alford plea concedes the prosecution may have enough evidence for a conviction, but the defendant does not admit guilt.
The deal came after Circuit Judge John Wetsel Jr. reduced the capital murder charge, which carries a maximum sentence of death, to second-degree murder.
The lesser charge carried a maximum sentence of 40 years.
Wetsel told Johnson the sentence was relatively light for such a crime.
``This would never be sufficient for her death. Her entire life was taken away. She was given the death penalty, and you were not,'' Wetsel said.
Johnson will be placed on 10 years' probation after he is released from prison and was ordered not to have any contact with the girl's family.
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