CHARLES CITY, Va – Unwanted attention is surrounding Charles City County High School because of a former student.
Delvin Barnes who, was named Homecoming King in 1993, is now accused of the abduction, torture and rape of a 16-year-old girl.
"You never think someone you've gone to school with 10 - 20 years later is capable of doing something like that,” said a man who asked his name not be published for this story.
A former classmate of Barnes said kids treated him like he was an outcast.
"He had a speech impediment. He talked really fast and people picked on him,” the former classmate said. "Some teachers blocked it. Some teachers laughed."
Because of the small community no one wanted to speak about Barnes publicly.
"It's a small community. No one wants that blight. No one wants that on their conscious. No wants to deal with that."
But the community is talking about the situation, on social media.
"You don't see a lot of compassion, not for him or this entire situation or understanding for that matter,” said the former classmate.
And while Barnes sits in jail facing attempted Capital Murder and Rape charges, his former classmates say they hope this is a life lesson.
"Maybe, one day he'll be able to repent for his sins and everything he's done. If he understands what he's done. If he knows the ramifications,” said the former classmate.
