Wando teens’ sentencing delayed

Tuesday’s sentencing for several Wando High School students arrested in the armed robbery of a Mount Pleasant Food Lion has been postponed because of the death of an Upstate judge.

Charleston Circuit Judge Roger Young has delayed the sentencing to attend the funeral service for Circuit Judge James W. Johnson Jr., in Clinton.

Johnson passed away after a battle with cancer.

Eight youths had been charged for their role in the August 2006 holdup of the Mount Pleasant store where they mostly acted as look-outs. Most were scheduled to be sentenced Tuesday at the Charleston County Judicial Center on charges that included conspiracy to commit armed robbery and accessory after the fact.

The group pleaded guilty late last year but their sentencing date was put on hold while pre-sentencing reports were done on each teen, and to allow them to finish education requirements.

The new sentencing date has yet to be scheduled but could be set for next week.

Two others who took lead roles in the crime spree were sentenced earlier to 10 years behind bars.