Judge hears appeal of I-64 teen suspect

A 16-year old Crozet boy who has admitted his involvement in the Interstate 64 shootings pleaded guilty to charges for a second time Wednesday after filing an appeal last week.

Brandon Dawson, 16, pleaded guilty in Albemarle Circuit Court to five counts of maliciously shooting at an occupied vehicle. Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Darby Lowe said Dawson is scheduled to be sentenced July 8.

Dawson’s attorney, Dana Slater, confirmed last week that her client would appeal. The teen had been sentenced May 28 to a state juvenile facility for an indeterminate time to be established by the Department of Juvenile Justice. At most, the state could hold Dawson until he is 21 years old.

Before Dawson was sentenced May 28 in Albemarle Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court, Slater and a probation supervisor recommended that Dawson be sentenced to a 180-day intensive program at the Blue Ridge Detention Center. During that same hearing, Lowe recommended that Dawson could try the program pending good behavior.

Despite the recommendations, Juvenile and Domestic Relations Judge Susan L. Whitlock decided Dawson shouldn’t be admitted to the program because he had too many charges of a serious nature.

Slater previously said she was surprised by Whitlock’s sentence.

“Frankly, an indeterminate commitment to the Department of Juvenile Justice is about the worst you can get,” Slater said after the sentencing.

Slater could not be reached for comment Wednesday.