ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Wednesday, August 7, 1996 TAG: 9608070059
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK STAFF WRITER
A young man convicted of malicious wounding in a shootout at a Roanoke public housing complex was given an indeterminate sentence in a juvenile correctional center Tuesday.
The 18-year-old, who is not being named because he was 17 at the time of the offense, was sentenced to a term that could last until his 21st birthday, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Wanda DeWease said.
But Defense Attorney Eric Spencer said the youth likely will be released on bond while he appeals the case to Roanoke Circuit Court.
The youth was one of three people who were wounded - none of them seriously - the afternoon of April 23, when at least 16 shots were fired during an argument at the Bluestone public housing development in Northeast Roanoke.
Five young men were charged with malicious wounding, but the 18-year-old was the only one convicted last month by a judge who heard wildly conflicting testimony during a hearing in Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
The 18-year-old's sister testified that about a dozen men showed up at her apartment, apparently to settle an earlier argument involving her boyfriend. At the time, Roanoke police said they could not recall another incident in recent years when so many people went after each other with guns.
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