Former Cadet Convicted of Armed Robbery
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Weekend Outlook Non-profit Another beautiful weekend organization U.S. Postage trapped in the love confines PAID Permit No. 14 of the T Lexington, VA CatiEt 24450 i?«/r mtiepeniientlp bp cahttn siimt 1007 $ 1 . 0 0 VOLUME XGI Friday, 23 April 1999 Number 23 Former Cadet Convicted of Armed Robbery by the Honor Court because he left French Cadets Invade Barracks! Bradley Purcell, school before he could be con Friday fronted with any'honor charges. VI, sentenced to Purcell had survived several brushes with the law before he came nine years in to VMI. In fact. White testified that on Page 4 he had “taken the rap” for Purcell Sports prison for his part on at least one occasion in high school because, “[he] didn’t want in the robbing of a Purcell to ruin his life and miss an opportunity at VMI.” restraunt at gun Admitting in court last week point last fall that he was under the influence of illicit drugs at the time of the of fense, Purcell stated that he had lied by Todd Kennedy to correction officers because he Cabet Editor-in-Chief was, “afraid and ashamed to admit his drug use to investigators.” In court, Purcell attempted to blame White for the crime. While, Baseball team one game Bradley Clay Purcell, former Virginia Military Institute member of who is now awaiting a possible four- away from season record the Class of 2001, was sentenced last year sentence for his part in the rob Tuesday, Apr. 20, in Botetourt bery, claims that although he gave the French Cadet Loic Branne plays "war" with First Classman John Hardy County Courthouse to a total of eigh gun to Purcell, he thought Purcell was, See page 5 for full stoiy. teen years in prison for “armed rob “only joking about robbing the res bery and using a firearm in the com taurant.” The police believed White’s mission of a felony.” After Purcell testimony over Purcell’s. pleaded guilty to robbing a Roanoke Honts said, “I had heard two Class of 2002 Elects Officers restaurant at gunpoint last September, very different versions of what hap Circuit Judge George E. Honts, III pened the night of the robbery and Fourth Class reduced the sentence to nine years. [Purcell’s] version doesn’t quite chooses a diverse Purcell faced a possible sentence of come up to par.” up to life in prison plus three years. Commonwealth’s Attorney selection of class Twenty-year-old Purcell, aided Joel Branscom stated that Purcell, by a seventeen-year-old friend driv “had a lot of potential. He just Opinion on page leaders, prepares to ing a get away car, donned a ski mask doesn’t take advantage of his oppor take place among and entered the North Star Restaurant tunities.” carrying a rusted out rifle that was Purcell had come to VMI with Eye on the HC, the 'old corps.' later discovered to be unserviceable. an outstanding high school record After holding up a waitress for $100 both academically and athletically, Lord fights back, by Jeff Stephenson dollars, he escaped through the back and was described at the time of his Cabet Staff Writer door. Purcell was arrested at VMI arrest as a “typical cadet,” by his Sept. 3, after police traced the license roommate. His actions, however, Kosovo defended, The Class of2002 has made their plates of the get away car to Purcell’s were anything but typical. Purcell decision. Recently elected Mark & even more Liddy friend, John White. said the incident was “stupidest Grigsby president, Jackson Castleberry Purcell resigned from VMI af thing I’ve ever done.” Most cadets vice president and Josh Schreiber- ter his arrest, but was not prosecuted would tend to agree. Schoonyan, historian, have been estab Features on page 6 lished as the new cla.ss General Com The newly elected 2u02 class officers discuss plans for future mittee repre.sentatives. Their common to VMI under all of the right circum Class Vice President Jackson Castleberry. Brother Rat? bond, a love for the Virginia Military stances. Even though other schools Castleberry is also a Busine.ss/Econom- Institute. wouldn’t defer Mark’s scholarships to ics major from Norfolk, Virginia. His Grigsby, an economics/business play basketball, VMI Coach Bail Bellairs qualifications include Secretary of Stu major from Peterstown, West Virginia, promised him a spot on the team. dent Council and the captain of his soc was elected class president. Originally “He’s the bomb,” exclaimed cer team in high school. Jackson’s room from Kentucky, Grigsby moved to the Bellairs. “I felt Mark had the ability to mate, David Rossi, ’02, said “Jackson is mountains of West Virginia at the age be elected before he came to VMI. He’s so intense with llie Ratline, he’s strained of 12. After graduating high school, he fair, honest, and will be a great leader.” his roommate Mike Zannetti.” Laugh was offered basketball scholarships Not only is Bellairs impressed by ing about this, Jackson maintains pride from numerous NCAA Division 1 col Grigsby’s capacity for leadership and for the Ratline he went through and hopes ALumnus, New York Times leges and universities including responsibility, but other members of the it’s tradition will press on while he’s in a writer, speaks to cadets Princeton, Coastal Carolina, VMI, and Corps are as well. Grigsby’s roommate, leadership position. Commenting on Radford. However, he turned them all Pedro Garcia ‘02, .spent his entire Ratline w^y he’s capable of handling his new down because he felt God had “called” with Grigsby. According to Garcia, position, Castleberry said, “1 feel my him on his mission, which took him to Grigsby was always “locked, cocked, and leadership positions in the past have South America with the Mormon ready to go.” Upon Breakout, however, helped me get this far and will give me Church—^The Church of Jesus Christ of Pedro noted that Mark has been more success as Class 2002 VP.” ' Latter Day Saints. “chilled out.” Currently, Mark is dedi The new Fourth Class historian is Mark spent two years of his life cating more of his time to being the new Josh Schreiber-Schoonyan. The name in Buenos Aires, Argentina. “It was the Fourth Class President. says it all as he’s notorious for nick best experience of my life,” said Ezra Clark ’99, First Class Presi names such as "Scooby Doo, Droopy, Grigsby, “because I had the opportunity dent and Grigsby’s dyke, noted that, and Snufflelufagus.” Josh is a native A male and female cadet walk down the stoop 'as friends.' to go and spread the Gospel of Jesus “Mark is a mature individual and he will of Newcastle, California, and a History Some question if dating within the corps causes problems. FIF: Dr. Claudia Pirkle Chri.st.” Grigsby feels he developed make wise decisions.” A Mormon him- major here at VMI. He feels he “be many of his leadership qualities during .self, Clark feels Grigsby possesses the longs solely to the Corps.” Along with because it gives you problems you this time. Playing a significant role in characteristics of a good leader and will a great relationship with his BR’s, Josh by Tony Conway don’t need.” As a Rat, Lord was pe his church, Mark witnessed to those put his skills to good use during his hopes to earn a commission to the Caict Staff Writer nalized for a sexual relationship with without relationships with God and even cadetship. Army upon completion of his a Brother Rat. Arts & Leisure Breakout signals the birth of a on page 7 baptized individuals into his Church. Mark’s main concern is that he cadet.ship. Mike Rust, Hotel Company new class — a mass gaining individual “Grigs,” as he is known by some wants more people to take VMI seriously All new 2002 GC members commander, concurred with Lord’s identity. Breakout al.so signifies a step- of his friends, is one of the few cadets while he’s in office and uphold the honor made it clear that they would perform views. In a similar fashion to down in Institute regulations over sev who knows exactly why he came to the and tradition embellished in its history. their jobs to the best of their capabili McMahon, Rust staled his disinter eral issues. Last year, many Virginia “1.” He is positive that God brought him Added to the new crew is Fourth ties. est in cadets dating. “It’s bound to Military Cadets found that the most vi happen when you put males and fe sual change, apart from more hair, was males together.” Rust stressed con the sight of Fourth Class females dat Promanji Club Holds Club Dinner cern over the notion of a Rat dating ing upperclassmen. their dyke. Rust said, “U would dis Despite Institute regulations per led him to W&L Law School. When he grateful for his commitment to the wel appoint me a lot [to see a Rat dating by John Kouluiroulis mitting dating after Breakout, many was a senior at VMI, he strolled to W&L fare of cadets and his continuing interest her dyke], the dyke relationship isn’t Cabet Staff Writer upper-class cadets still have reserva in flip-fiops and shorts. He spoke to a in the institute.” meant to turn out that way.” The Blue tions about female cadets dating upper Elvis Costello and The Promaji Club had their an lady that worked in admissions; Taylor Andre Curtis, ‘99, Promaji Club Book regulations totally forbid a classmen.