Judge Convicts Man of Second-Degree Murder for Killing Brother in 2021
NORFOLK, Va. – Gregory Alexander Mayo, 32, was convicted in Norfolk Circuit Court on Friday of second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission after Mr. Mayo fatally shot his older brother in 2021.
On Feb. 11, 2021, Mr. Mayo, then 29, shot and killed 31-year-old Kevin Michael Gumbs after an argument. Mr. Gumbs was visiting Mr. Mayo in Norfolk but expressed his desire to go back to his residence in New York due to Mr. Mayo’s recent concerning behavior. Mr. Gumbs, Mr. Mayo, and a friend drove to a bus station in Virginia Beach the evening of Feb. 11, 2021, but Mr. Gumbs was unable to purchase a bus ticket, and the group drove back to Mr. Mayo’s home in Norfolk. Later that night, Mr. Gumbs contacted a different family member to give him a ride back to the bus station, but the family member was unable to. That was the last time that family member heard from Mr. Gumbs.
After 9 p.m. that night, a home surveillance system near Mr. Mayo’s residence on Guy Avenue captured the sound of six gunshots. The next day, a neighbor found Mr. Gumbs’ body under a tarp outside. Mr. Gumbs’ cause of death was ruled as six gunshot wounds to his torso, and the medical examiner noted abrasions to his back consistent with being dragged. Norfolk Police attempted to contact Mr. Mayo but were unsuccessful.
Norfolk Police contacted the family member who last spoke with Mr. Gumbs before his death. The family member told investigators that the family had confronted Mr. Mayo about Mr. Gumbs’ death, and Mr. Mayo admitted to them that he shot Mr. Gumbs for being “disrespectful.”
On Feb. 13, 2021, Norfolk Police arrested Mr. Mayo and confiscated a 9mm pistol and multiple cartridge casings from his residence. Forensic examiners later determined that the casings and the bullets recovered during Mr. Gumbs’ autopsy were fired from Mr. Mayo’s pistol.
On Friday, Mr. Mayo pleaded no contest, pursuant to the rule in North Carolina v. Alford, to second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of murder, and Judge David W. Lannetti found him guilty. In an Alford plea, a defendant maintains his innocence but admits that the evidence would be sufficient to convict if the case had gone to trial. Mr. Mayo is docketed for sentencing on May 10, and the plea agreement leaves the sentencing to the judge, who may impose an active prison sentence of up to 18 years.
Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Andrew Kolp and Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Anthony J. Comento are prosecuting Mr. Mayo’s case on behalf of the Commonwealth, and former Norfolk Police Detective Matthew J. Walsh led the investigation.
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