CHARLOTTESVILLE -- Albemarle County prosecutors hope to find out next week whether a 16-year-old boy charged in the Interstate 64 shootings can be tried as an adult.

In Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court yesterday, Judge Susan L. Whitlock continued until Wednesday a hearing about transferring the case to adult court. The two sides agreed to put off the hearing to await the arrival of documents, defense lawyer Dana M. Slater said after the hearing.

The boy was identified by his last name, Dawson, in court yesterday.

Police believe he accompanied Afton-area resident Slade Allen Woodson, 19, during shootings early March 27 that closed I-64 for hours and spread fear in western Albemarle and Waynesboro. Two motorists suffered minor injuries.

The tall, lanky youth sat silently during the brief proceedings in handcuffs and dressed in a blue jumpsuit. Some family and friends wept quietly on one of the benches as prosecutor Darby Lowe and Slater detailed the reasons for the joint request for postponement.

The 16-year-old faces 15 felony counts stemming from the shootings along I-64 west of Charlottesville and in western Albemarle.

Woodson faces two additional felony charges connected with shootings outside a Waynesboro credit union. Authorities believe all the shots were fired March 27 in the hours after midnight.
Contact staff writer Calvin R. Trice at (540) 932-3674 or ctrice@timesdispatch.com