
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, June 8, 1994                    TAG: 9406080471 
SECTION: LOCAL                     PAGE: D3    EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY JODY R. SNIDER, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: 940608                                 LENGTH: SMITHFIELD

INDICTED VALEDICTORIAN WON'T SPEAK AT GRADUATION

{LEAD} Smithfield High's valedictorian, awaiting trial on felony charges, will not be allowed to speak at the school's graduation ceremony, Principal Donald T. Alvey said Tuesday.

Alvey said he informed valedictorian Darrell H. Norton of the decision by certified mail.

{REST} Norton was indicted by an Isle of Wight County grand jury last month on one count of burglary while armed with a deadly weapon and one count of grand larceny.

At the time, Alvey said Norton, 18, was innocent until proven guilty, and that he would still deliver the commencement speech.

But after talking with faculty members, seniors and parents, Alvey decided to replace Norton as speaker.

School policy gives the principal the right to depart from tradition and select a speaker from a list of honor students, Alvey said. He chose Dion Pittman.

``One of the comments that was made by students was that he (Norton) would have nothing that he could say to his class,'' Alvey said. ``A few said the opposite. And more than likely, there would have been some kind of disruption if he had spoke.

``It's the wrong decision with some people,'' he said. ``But you can never satisfy everybody. I made this decision with the best interest of this school in mind.''

Norton, who has a string of prestigious honors and awards to his credit, was charged in a Feb. 3 house burglary.

Police said Norton was carrying a .22-caliber handgun when he entered the house and took electronic equipment, appliances, a video camera, jewelry and guns valued at $5,500.

The burglary charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison; the larceny charge, a penalty of up to 20 years behind bars.

Norton, who is free on a $25,000 bond, declined comment Tuesday. His court date is July 13.

Prior to his arrest, Norton planned to attend the University of Virginia, earn a master's degree in mathematics or statistics and become an actuary.

He attended the governor's school for the sciences and served as vice president for the Youth Advisory Council to the Isle of Wight School Board.

by CNB