THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, April 27, 1995 TAG: 9504270432
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B7 EDITION: FINAL
DATELINE: NORFOLK LENGTH: Short : 32 lines
The co-defendant of a former Norfolk State University student convicted in March of killing one former roommate and wounding a second in their dormitory room was sentenced on Tuesday to serve 11 years behind bars.
Judge John E. Clarkson sentenced Christopher Skinner to 10 years in prison for conspiracy to commit malicious wounding and 12 months in jail for misdemeanor accessory after the fact. Originally charged with murder and malicious wounding, the charges were downgraded in a plea agreement made in exchange for his testimony in the trial of his co-defendant Shamont Burrell.
On March 10, a jury found Burrell guilty of first-degree murder, malicious wounding, conspiracy and two firearms counts and recommended 68 years in prison. Burrell will be formally sentenced on May 4.
Burrell and four other friends were accused of killing Gerard Edwards and wounding Ronald Richardson in their dorm room in the early hours of Jan. 18, 1994. The shootings were over campus rivalries, police and prosecutors said.
James Powers, one of Burrell's co-defendants, was a fugitive during Burrell's trial but has since been arrested in New York City, court records show. He is currently fighting extradition, court officials said.
KEYWORDS: MURDER ASSAULT SHOOTING INJURIES
TRIAL VERDICT SENTENCING by CNB