The Virginian-Pilot 
                            THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT  
              Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Thursday, January 5, 1995              TAG: 9501050418
SECTION: LOCAL                    PAGE: B3   EDITION: FINAL  
SOURCE: BY JODY R. SNIDER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT                      LENGTH: Medium:   66 lines

CORRECTION/CLARIFICATION: ***************************************************************** Darrell H. Norton, a former Smithfield High School valedictorian sentenced in July to two years in jail for burglary and grand larceny, has not been released from Western Tidewater Regional Jail in Suffolk. A MetroNews story Thursday about Michael T. Barfield, a co-defendant in two burglary cases, incorrectly reported that Norton, who was incarcerated July 15, had been released. Correction published Saturday, January 7, 1995 on page A2. ***************************************************************** TEEN PLEADS GUILTY TO 6 FELONIES, FACES 120-YEAR SENTENCE

A 19-year-old former Smithfield High School student, Michael T. Barfield, pleaded guilty Wednesday to six felony charges stemming from three home burglaries, two of which he is accused of committing with Smithfield High valedictorian Darrell H. Norton last year.

Isle of Wight Circuit Judge Westbrook J. Parker accepted Barfield's guilty plea to three counts of burglary and three counts of grand larceny. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

Parker ordered a presentencing report and scheduled Barfield's sentencing for Feb. 15. He could receive a maximum of 120 years for all six charges. On the same day, he is scheduled to be tried in Isle of Wight on 10 similar charges in connection with other home burglaries in the county.

According to police reports, Barfield; Norton, 18; Brian Cordle, 18; and a 17-year-old on Jan. 14, 1994, broke into the home of Norton's neighbor, James E. Turner III, in Carrollton In June, Norton pleaded guilty in juvenile court to one count of burglary while armed with a deadly weapon, and one count of grand larceny for his part in the January 1994 break-in. He received a two-year suspended sentence for both charges, provided he completes 30 hours of community service.

On Nov. 16, Cordle was found guilty and sentenced on one count of burglary and grand larceny for his role in the Jan. 14 break-in.

Commonwealth's Attorney W. Parker Councill said Barfield was instrumental in giving police information on others who broke into the Turner residence.

``Mr. Barfield's cooperation was a great benefit to the commonwealth,'' Councill said. ``His cooperation made other prosecutions possible - prosecutions that we wouldn't have had otherwise.''

It was Barfield who gave the most damaging testimony against Norton in the Feb. 3 burglary of the Bennie W. Lippard home in Morgart's Beach. According to police, Norton and Barfield broke into the Lippard residence, taking $5,500 worth of electronics, jewelry, a video camera and a gun.

In July, Norton was found guilty of burglary and grand larceny for his part in the Lippard burglary. Circuit Judge E. Everett Bagnell sentenced him to a year in prison on each charge. He was released after serving six months.

Barfield is to be sentenced Feb. 15 for his role in that burglary.

Barfield also pleaded guilty to the March 3 burglary of the Glenn Russell home. Councill said more than $200 in used stereo equipment was taken from that home.

KEYWORDS: ROBBERIES TRIAL SENTENCING by CNB