Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, January 12, 1995 TAG: 9501120070
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: RICHARD FOSTER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Terry Calvin Myers, who pleaded guilty to cemetery vandalism, faces one to five years in prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
His lawyer, Carter Garrett, said Myers did not actually vandalize any of the stones himself, but accepted responsibility for the incident because he was driving the two juveniles who did.
Garrett explained that Myers and the juveniles had been drinking that night.
Myers wrecked his car in June as he rounded a curve near the intersection of Virginia 43 and 723 near Hickory Grove cemetery. He was arrested after state police found two tombstones near his car. Fifteen other tombstones in the cemetery had been overturned.
Myers was convicted of reckless driving in October.
The two juveniles who were in the car with him were convicted of felony cemetery vandalism in Bedford County Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court.
Their punishment has been kept confidential, as allowed by state law, but Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Randy Krantz said the youths have been required to pay restitution to the church as part of their sentences.
Damage to the cemetery was estimated at more than $500.
by CNB