Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Student of the year

NEEDVILLE — A 16-year-old boy held on charges of arson in the fire that destroyed part of Needville High School is also accused of soliciting others to commit arson.

The teen surrendered Tuesday at the Fort Bend County Courthouse.

Investigators, speaking at a news conference in front of the burned debris of the school, would not elaborate on the specific solicitation of arson charges, citing privacy laws surrounding juvenile suspects.

"Basically, criminal solicitation to commit arson is trying to get someone to assist in that offense," Assistant District Attorney Mike Elliott said.

County Fire Marshal Vance Cooper said investigators could not discuss a motive for the April 23 blaze, which razed a large part of the high school that opened in 1948.

Investigators also could not say whether more arrests are coming.

The 10th-grader will appear before a juvenile-court judge either today or Thursday, the boy's attorney, Steven Rocket Rosen, said.

The attorney said he will not ask the judge to release the youth to the custody of his parents. Instead, the boy will remain in the juvenile detention center where he will undergo psychological evaluation.

Elliott said the teen's case will either remain in the juvenile justice system, or he could be certified as an adult to stand trial.

He said no decision has been made to seek certification. If the district attorney seeks certification, a juvenile-court judge will make the final determination.

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