THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, September 13, 1996 TAG: 9609130762
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C3 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY DOUG DOUGHTY, LANDMARK NEWS SERVICE
DATELINE: CHARLOTTESVILLE LENGTH: 28 lines
The future of Virginia basketball signee Melvin Whitaker Jr. may not be as bleak as it once appeared. Whether Whitaker will go to college next year is another matter.
Albemarle County Circuit Court Judge Paul Peatross recommended Thursday that Whitaker be evaluated by state corrections officials for acceptance into a program for youthful offenders. Formal sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 14.
Whitaker earlier had pleaded guilty to malicious wounding, a felony, for his March 5 attack on UVa football player Maurice ``Mo'' Anderson, who required 73 stitches to close a wound to his left cheek.
Rod Leffler, one of the attorneys representing Whitaker, said a likely destination for Whitaker would be the St. Brides Correctional Center in Chesapeake. Whitaker's home is in Garner, N.C., a suburb of Raleigh.
A presentencing report had suggested a prison term of no less than two years, three months or no more than five years, 10 months. Whitaker would not have a set term in the youthful offenders' program.
``They're eligible for release when they get there,'' Albemarle County Commonwealth's Attorney James Camblos said. ``They have to be released after four years. The vast majority stay for three years.'' by CNB