NORFOLK (AP) -- Two 17-year-old girls who were convicted of participating in a gang beating that killed one man and injured two others have been sentenced to several decades in prison.
Nichelle Carter was ordered Friday to serve 33 years in prison, with an additional 45 years suspended. Shakida Bowers was sentenced to 40 years in prison, with an additional 15 years suspended.
The two were convicted of murder, malicious wounding and robbery in a July 2007 attack in Norfolk's East Ocean View neighborhood. About a dozen members of the street gang Bounty Hunter Bloods ambushed James Robertson Jr., his cousin, Timothy Minter, and their friend Desmond Ashe. Robertson died of his injuries.
Commonwealth's Attorney spokeswoman Amanda Howie says 11 people total have been charged in the incident. Eight have been convicted and three, including the girls today, have been sentenced.
Five are awaiting sentencing and trials are pending for the remains three suspects.
(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
