April 2008

4/1/08 – COMMONWEALTH VS. JUSTIN ANDREW LITTLE

Today, a jury in Norfolk Circuit Court convicted Justin Andrew Little, 18-years-old, of 1 count of 1st Degree Murder, 1 count of Robbery, and 2 counts of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony after a 2 day trial.  The jury did not recommend a sentence because of Little’s age at the time of the offense.  He was 15-years-old.  A judge will sentence Little at his sentencing hearing which is scheduled for July 11, 2008. Little was charged after the June 17, 2005, fatal shooting of a man, Troy Brown, in the 400 block of Walke Street.  Little robbed and shot Brown after Brown showed Little a large amount of money he had gotten to pay for meals and other travel expenses during a recent business trip.

4/1/08 – COMMONWEALTH VS. MARCUS LASHAWN JOHNSON

Today, Marcus Lashawn Johnson, 19-years-old, pleaded guilty in Norfolk Circuit Court to 1 count of 2nd Degree Murder and 1 count of Robbery.  His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 18, 2008. Johnson was charged after the March 30, 2007, beating of Eazy Baker, which resulted in his death on August 30, 2007.  Baker was riding his bicycle in the 1500 block of Vernon Avenue when he was approached by Johnson.  Johnson punched Baker in the face and told Baker to give him his money.  When Baker did not respond, Johnson began punching Baker all over his body.  Baker fell off of his bike and on to the ground.  Johnson then took the bike, riding over Baker, as he fled the scene.  Baker was taken to a hospital where he never regained consciousness and died 5 months later from his injuries.

4/3/08 – COMMONWEALTH VS. DONALD RAY BAILEY, JR.

Today, a jury in Norfolk Circuit Court convicted Donald Ray Bailey, Jr., 29-years-old, of 1 count of 1st Degree Murder, 2 counts of Malicious Wounding, and 3 counts of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony after a 4 day trial.  The jury recommended Bailey, Jr., be sentenced to 52 years in prison for the convictions.  A judge will formally sentence Bailey, Jr., at his sentencing hearing which is scheduled for July 3, 2008. Bailey, Jr., was charged after the December 18, 2005, fatal shooting of a man, Cory Cuffee, in the 3500 block of Seay Avenue.  Two other men were wounded. 

4/3/08 – COMMONWEALTH VS. ALISHA HUHN

Today, Alisha Huhn, 24-years-old, pleaded guilty in Norfolk Circuit Court to 1 count of Child Abuse/Neglect.  Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 27, 2008. Alisha Huhn was charged following an investigation into the March 26, 2006, death of her 2-month-old son.  The child’s father and Alisha Huhn’s husband, Anthony Huhn, 26-years-old, is also facing charges in connection with this crime.

4/3/08 – COMMONWEALTH VS. TIMOTHY SHAWN LEVINE

Today, Timothy Shawn Levine, 31-years-old, pleaded guilty in Norfolk Circuit Court to 4 counts of Obtaining Money/Property by False Pretense, 4 counts of Conspiracy to Obtain Money by False Pretense, and 1 count of Failure to Appear.  His sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 8, 2008. Levine was charged after an investigation revealed he was taking money from clients as payment for various repairs to their homes and then not completing the work.  A woman, Keaton Ann Taylor, 29-years-old, is also facing charges in connection with this crime.

4/11/08 – COMMONWEALTH VS. LARRY EUGENE ASKEW

Today, Larry Eugene Askew, 30-years-old, was sentenced in Norfolk Circuit Court to 4 years in prison for the convictions of 2 counts of Possess/Use/Manufacture a Firebomb.  He pleaded guilty to the charges on December 10, 2007.  He will be on probation for 6 years following his release. Askew was charged after explosive materials were found inside his room at a motel in the 7900 block of Shore Drive on August 10, 2007.

4/15/08 – COMMONWEALTH VS. ROBERT MATTHEW HEFFLEY, JR.

Today, Robert Matthew Heffley, Jr., 23-years-old, pleaded guilty in Norfolk Circuit Court to 1 count of Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, 1 count of Obtaining Money/Property by False Pretense, and 2 counts of Worthless Check.  His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 11, 2008.   Heffley, Jr., was charged after checks from a bank account which contained no money were used to purchase dogs and cats from various people who had advertised the animals for sale in newspapers.  The animals were then sold at truck stops in various states.  This occurred over several days in late November 2007.

4/15/08 – COMMONWEALTH VS. KEYONTE ASHTON ELLIOTT

Today, Keyonte Ashton Elliott pleaded guilty in Norfolk Circuit Court to 1 count of Possession of a Weapon by a Non-Violent Felon and 1 count of Brandishing a Weapon.  He was sentenced to 5 years in prison and 12 months in jail with all of that time suspended for a minimum of 2 years in the custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice.  He will be on probation for 5 years following his release. Elliott was charged after he pointed a loaded handgun at 2 Norfolk Police Officers in the 6200 block of Alexander Street on October 26, 2007.

4/15/08 – COMMONWEALTH VS. VICTORIA LINETT SMITH

Today, Victoria Linett Smith, 25-years-old, appeared in Norfolk Juvenile & Domestic Relations Court for preliminary hearing.  The judge certified the charge, 1 count of Child Neglect, against Smith to the Grand Jury and Norfolk Circuit Court.  The next hearing in this case is scheduled for May 7, 2008, when the next Grand Jury meets. Smith was charged after her 1-month-old son was taken to a hospital suffering from various serious medical conditions in December 2007.

4/16/08 – COMMONWEALTH VS. COREY JERMAINE SMITH

 Today, Corey Jermaine Smith, 22-years-old, appeared in Norfolk General District Court for preliminary hearing.  The judge certified the charges, 1 count of First Degree Murder and 1 count of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, against Smith to the Grand Jury and Norfolk Circuit Court.  The next hearing in this case is scheduled for May 7, 2008, when the next Grand Jury meets. Smith was charged after the August 26, 2007, fatal shooting of a man, Keith Deshawn Gordon, in the 300 block of Campostella Road. Another man, Terrelle Spillers, is facing charges in connection with this crime.

4/16/08 – COMMONWEALTH VS. TERRELLE SPILLERS

Today, Terrelle Spillers, 22-years-old, appeared in Norfolk General District Court for preliminary hearing.  The judge certified the charges, 1 count of First Degree Murder and 1 count of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, against Spillers to the Grand Jury and Norfolk Circuit Court.  The next hearing in this case is scheduled for May 7, 2008, when the next Grand Jury meets.  Spillers was charged after the August 26, 2007, fatal shooting of a man, Keith Deshawn Gordon, in the 300 block of Campostella Road. Another man, Corey Jermaine Smith, is facing charges in connection with this crime.

4/17/08 – COMMONWEALTH VS. BRANDON JAMALE WADE

Today, Brandon Jamale Wade, 22-years-old, appeared in Norfolk General District Court for preliminary hearing.  The judge certified the 21 felony charges – 1 count of Abduction, 1 count of Attempted Abduction, 1 count of Carjacking, 1 count of Eluding Police, 2 counts of Rape, 1 count of Robbery, 4 counts of Forcible Sodomy, and 10 counts of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony – against Wade to the Grand Jury and Norfolk Circuit Court.  The next hearing in this case is scheduled for May 7, 2008, when the next Grand Jury meets. Wade was charged after the February 11, 2008, attack on 2 women which began in the parking lot of Ruffner Middle School in the 600 block of May Avenue.

4/22/08 – COMMONWEALTH VS. YARNELL PEREZ NORMAN

Today, Yarnell Perez Norman, 29-years-old, appeared in Norfolk General District Court for preliminary hearing.  The judge certified the charges of 1 count of Second Degree Murder, 1 count of Robbery, and 2 counts of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony against Norman to the Grand Jury and Norfolk Circuit Court.  The next hearing in this case is scheduled for May 7, 2008, when the next Grand Jury meets. Norman was charged after the January 26, 2008, fatal shooting of a man, Timothy Yates, in the 800 block of Church Street. Another man, Walter Latwain Moore, is facing charges in connection with this crime.

4/24/08 – COMMONWEALTH VS. TROY LEE WILLIAMS, JR.

            Today, Troy Lee Williams, Jr., 32-years-old, appeared in Norfolk Juvenile & Domestic Relations court for preliminary hearing.  The judge certified the 9 felony charges, including 1 count of Second Degree Murder and 1 count of Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony, against Williams, Jr., to the Grand Jury and Norfolk Circuit Court.  The next hearing in this case is scheduled for May 7, 2008, when the next Grand Jury meets Williams, Jr., was charged after the December 19, 2007, fatal shooting of a man in the 400 block of E. Olney Road. A woman, Keuinia Worsley, is also facing charges in connection with this crime. 

4/25/08 – COMMONWEALTH VS. HENRY ALEXANDER ALBRITTON

Today, Henry A. Albritton, 38-years-old, was sentenced in Norfolk Circuit Court to 25 years in prison for the conviction of 1 count of First Degree Murder.  He pleaded guilty to the charge on February 4, 2008. Albritton was charged after the April 4, 2007, stabbing death of his girlfriend, Rickita Ryant, 23-years-old, in her apartment in the 9600 block of 10th Bay Street.   

4/25/08 – COMMONWEALTH VS. JORDAN LYLE SMITH

 Today, Jordan Lyle Smith, 23-years-old, was sentenced in Norfolk Circuit Court to 28 years in prison with 23 years 9 months suspended, resulting in 4 years 3 months of active time of incarceration, for the convictions of 4 counts of Possession of Child Pornography.  He pleaded guilty to those charges on October 23, 2007. Smith was charged after an investigation revealed he was in possession of child pornography on March 5, 2007.

4/25/08 – COMMONWEALTH VS. SKYLER HAYWARD

 Today, Skyler Hayward, 17-years-old, pleaded guilty in Norfolk Circuit Court to 1 count of First Degree Murder, 2 counts of Malicious wounding, and 3 counts of Robbery.  Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for September 2008. Hayward was charged after the July 27, 2007, beating death of a man, James Robertson, in the 955 block of 16th Bay Street in the East Ocean View neighborhood.  Two other men were injured.
Nine other people are also facing charges in connection with this crime.

4/29/08 – COMMONWEALTH VS. TIMOTHY CLEOPHIS BURKETT

Today, Timothy Cleophis Burkett, 33-years-old, pleaded guilty in Norfolk Circuit Court to 1 count of Aggravated Sexual Battery, 1 count of Indecent Liberties, and 2 counts of Rape.  His sentencing hearing is scheduled for June 13, 2008. Burkett was charged after an investigation revealed sexual abuse of a 14-year-old girl occurred in December 2007.