ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1997, Roanoke Times

DATE: Thursday, March 27, 1997               TAG: 9703270076
SECTION: VIRGINIA                 PAGE: C-3  EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MATT CHITTUM

JUDGE GIVES TEEN 10 DAYS IN DETENTION

A juvenile court judge ignored a probation officer's recommendation this week and sentenced a 15-year-old former Lord Botetourt High School student to 10 days in detention for stabbing and threatening another student in December.

A probation officer suggested the boy serve no time.

Judge Paul Tucker also required Michael Odell to perform 40 hours community service and to repay the medical expenses of the girl he cut, Botetourt County Assistant Commonwealth Attorney Ronnie Clay said.

The charge stemmed from a Dec. 5 incident in which Odell was brandishing a pocket knife at the school and cut the girl's pinky while her hand was on her throat. Odell was suspended and later expelled, but the victim testified the boy later came back onto school grounds and told the victim he meant to cut her throat.

Odell's attorney, David Spigle, has filed an appeal.

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