Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, March 10, 1992                   TAG: 9203100347
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: VIRGINIA BEACH                                LENGTH: Medium

VA. BEACH TEEN-AGER CONVICTED YOUTH NOT INSANE WHEN HE KILLED BOYS

The jury of seven women and five men deliberated about 90 minutes before convicting Shawn Paul Novak, 17, who could be sentenced to life in prison or death.

Novak sat impassively as the verdict was announced. Circuit Judge John Moore set sentencing for April 15. Moore earlier ruled that he, not the jury, would determine Novak's sentence.

Commonwealth's Attorney Robert Humphreys credited solid police work for the conviction.

"Obviously I'm pleased," he said. "We thought the evidence was frankly overwhelming."

Defense Attorney Richard Brydges did not want to talk about the case following the verdict.

Humphreys would not say whether he would ask for the death penalty at sentencing. If Novak receives a death sentence, he would be the only child on Virginia's death row.

Earlier in the day, a psychiatrist testifying for the prosecution said Novak's fascination with a troll and other make-believe creatures was not a sign of debilitating mental illness.

"Everybody engages in magical thinking," Dr. Paul Mansheim said. "That's why people buy lottery tickets."

Novak was 16 years old last March when Daniel Wayne Geier, 9, and Christopher Scot Weaver, 7, were found slain in woods next to the Navy housing development where they and Novak lived.

In closing arguments, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Frank Zanin showed the jury pictures of the boys' bodies, prompting Brydges to accuse the prosecutor of trying to promote "frontier justice."