.Armed Robbery (Continued from page 1A) involved and was the one who "tussled" with Jack Tucker during the robbery. McLean, who testified in his own behalf, became hostile when Assistant District Attorney Jean Powell pointed out that the defen dant had been convicted of armed robbery in New Jersey and charged with several other counts. "You wouldn't do that sort of thing, would you," Powell asked the defendant. After the cross-examination by Powell, McLean came off the witness stand and apparently made several remarks to the assistant D.A. Sheriff Dave Barrington had to escort McLean back to the prison box after the apparent run-in with Powell. In a final effort to clear his name, McLean had Jacobs recalled to the stand, but her testimony re mained the same. In his closing arguments, Diehl tried to convince the jury that McLean was with the McArns when the robbery occurred, but that he remained in the car during the actual crime. McLean also told the jury that he had warned D.J. and Alex ander "not to rob that man." Both Jack Tucker and his daughter Sandy's testimony disagreed with what McLean had said. According to Tucker, one black man grabbed him from behind and a second black man pointed a shotgun at him. Sandy Tucker testified that she saw both of those men plus a third man running from the pines near the Tucker residence. Alexander McArn testified later that he was in the pines during the robbery, and Dannie McArn testified that he was the one holding the gun on Tucker. Raeford policeman Clarence Patterson and Sergeant Jack Mar tino also linked McLean with the two men when they each stopped McArn's Dodge Challenger on the night of the robbery. McLean had claimed that he was with the McArns, but remained in the car "smoking a joint" while the others robbed Tucker. In closing remarks, Diehl admit ted that McLean's actions were "foolish." "Knowing about the robbery and going along with the McArns was stupid and foolish," Diehl told the jurors. Diehl also told the jurors that just being there was not a crime unless McLean actively "par ticipated in the act." In her final arguments, Powell indicated that each state's witness "meshed" with the testimony of the others. "All the evidence, except the defendant's testimony, points to the fact that McLean was there and willingly participated in the rob bery of Jack Tucker," Powell said. "He doesn't have anything to lose and everything to gain by lying about the robbery," Powell said. After 40 minutes of delibera tion, the six men and six women who comprised the jury, delivered a guilty verdict. Judge Farmer sentenced McLean to 25 years in the North Carolina Department of Correc tion. McLean was transported to the prison unit in Raleigh only hours after the sentencing. Alexander and Dannie McArn, who plead guilty to the armed rob bery charges were each sentenced to 14 years in the North Carolina Department of Correction. Nelson Putting It Right By Sherry Matthews Providing the "best educational opportunities for every child in the school system," is new superinten dent Robert A. Nelson's way of life. Nelson, 52, formerly of Alamance County, has already lac ed up the new shoes he must wear as Hoke County's 11th superinten dent and is "ready to get the ball rolling" towards a better school system. "I love the public schools," Nelson said, adding that he has been working in the schools for 28 years. The new superintendent is ready to tackle the problems and "im prove what is already good." "My main concern is the children," Nelson said. "1 believe we have an obligation to provide the best educational op portunities that we can with the resources available for every child that walks into that school building regardless of their ability or their status," Nelson added. Since being sworn in, Nelson has taken steps to insure that his philosophy is put into practice and has asked for faculty and staff in put on how to "improve" the ex isting education system in the county. According to Nelson, any pro blems in the Hoke County Schools can be corrected. "We can't just wave a wand and do it all at once, but we can work our way through it," Nelson said. "We are going to have to plan a program that looks down the road For all your life insurance needs, call: M. Vordell Hedgpeth 1 21 West El wood Avenue Roeford, N. CoroJino 28376 875-4187 NATIONWIDE 1 1 INSURANCE HMOinmi? ? on your Wuiu# r.nmor, *???<> "?Oft Mv'u# '