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May 1, 2008

Teen receives probation

Following the Lawrence County Juvenile Probation Office�s recommendation, Judge John W. Hodge placed a New Castle teenager on probation.

During a disposition hearing yesterday, a representative of the juvenile department offered his assessment of Joshua Stewart. Earlier this month, Hodge ruled the county district attorney�s office provided sufficient evidence to show Stewart was properly charged as a juvenile with possession of narcotics with an intent to deliver.

Erica Jo Million, 16, reportedly received 13 oxycodone tablets from Stewart on Feb. 27, 2007. She ingested oxycodone that same day and died March 4, 2007, in a Pittsburgh hospital. The district attorney�s office could not show that the pills Million allegedy received from Stewart contributed to her death.

The medical examiner�s office in Allegheny County ruled Million�s death accidental.

Stewart received an open-ended probation from the common pleas court judge. That means his time in the juvenile system could run as short as six months or until Stewart�s 21st birthday. Stewart�s compliance within the probation system will determine his release date.

While testifying, probation officer Kevin Carmichael noted that the 17-year-old Stewart had no prior encounters with the juvenile system.

Stewart�s attorney, David Acker, noted that the teen is a good student and active in the community and his church.

Carmichael testified that Stewart�s disposition was consistent with other first-time juvenile offenders.

Hodge informed Stewart that if he had been an adult when the incident occurred, he would have received six months to five years for possession with intent to deliver. Because the transaction occurred on school property Stewart would have faced a charge that carried a two- to five-year sentence.

New Castle police Chief Thomas Sansone and Lt. Cynthia Eve appeared at the hearing in addition to Veronica Million-Passerrello, Million�s mother.

Stewart�s parents, Charmagne and Alton Henry, attended the proceeding. Members of Calvary Temple Worship Center also attended, including the Rev. Abel Robles.

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