A spokesman for the 9th Circuit Solicitor's office confirms that the sentencing hearing for eight former Wando High School students accused of taking part in an armed robbery has been delayed.

Press liaison Julian Malasi said the hearing, scheduled for Tuesday, was postponed so Circuit Judge Roger Young can attend the funeral of Circuit Judge James Johnson, Jr. in Clinton. The sentencing hearing is now scheduled for Tuesday, July 22.

Police say the eight young men -- Patrick Brown, Christopher Cousins, Michael Dawley, Max Hartwell, Sam Perez, Graham Stolte, Jackie Washington and Vincent Weiner -- acted as lookouts during an armed robbery at a Food Lion store in Mount Pleasant. The young men pleaded guilty last year to conspiracy to commit armed robbery and accessory after the fact. The hearing was put on hold pending completion of the suspects' pre-sentencing reports and to allow them time to finish school.

Two other former Wando High School students -- Michael Anthony and Sean Shevlino -- are already serving time for their lead roles in the robbery; they pleaded guilty and were sentenced to ten years in prison.

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