Howard Gwynn Recognized for Work in Criminal Justice for Virginia
The Newport News Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office announces that Howard E. Gwynn, the Commonwealth’s Attorney for Newport News, has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious 2024 Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Award by the Virginia State Bar. This esteemed accolade, presented annually by the Virginia State Bar, recognizes individuals who have made notable contributions to the improvement […]
Newport News man convicted of murder for beating man in 2023
A Newport News jury on Nov. 7, 2024, convicted a 36-year-old man of second-degree murder for beating and killing Joseph Jones. Jamal Mitchell went to Jones’ home on Feb. 16, 2023, to confront Mr. Jones over a drug debt. Mitchell was angry that Jones had not paid him all the money Mitchell thought was due […]
Man convicted of obstruction for outing witness; witness later murdered
Newport News Judge Gary Mills convicted a 21-year-old man on Oct. 9, 2024, for obstruction of justice after he posted a witnesses’ name on social media, labelling the witness a snitch and implying snitches should be killed. Elijah Newell was convicted of obstruction of justice for intimidating a witness. Newell had been convicted of malicious […]
Newport News man sentenced to 9 years for gun, obstruction charges
A Newport News man was sentenced to 9 years in prison on Friday, October 4, 2024, for a series of charges including possessing a handgun that had been converted to a fully automatic weapon, making it a machine gun under Virginia law. Judge Matthew Hoffman sentenced Dwanne Martin, Jr., 21, to 5 years in prison […]
Man convicted of murder for luring the victim to store, shooting him in the chest
On July 2, 2024, a jury convicted Essonie Lennon after a two-day jury trial before the Honorable Judge Charles Maxfield of 10 felony charges including: 1st Degree Murder, Attempted Robbery, Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle, Abduction, and several firearm-related charges. These charges stem from the December 23, 2021 shooting death of Michael Neblett at Autumn […]
Contessa Holloman sentenced for homicide in the overdose death of three-year-old child
On July 26, 2024, Contessa Holloman appeared before the Honorable Judge Hoffman in the Newport News Circuit Court for sentencing on one count of Felony Homicide, one count of Possession of a Schedule I/II Controlled Substance, and two counts of Child Abuse and Neglect. She faced a possible maximum sentence of sixty-five years incarceration. This […]
Man who shot 16-year old on 36th street sentenced to 26 years in prison
[July 19, 2024 — Newport News, VA] Today Judge Christopher R. Papile sentenced Trashon Lamont Williams to twenty-six years in prison for the 2023 shooting of a 15-year-old near the 800 block of 36th Street. On January 2, 2023, Williams and a co-conspirator contacted the 15-year-old victim, who was known to Williams. They asked him […]
David Wayne Edmonds Convicted of Malicious Wounding in Assault of Elderly Father
[Newport News — June 13, 2024] Today the Hon. Tyneka L. D. Flythe of the Newport News Circuit Court sentenced David Wayne Edmonds to 20 years in prison, with 14 years suspended for assaulting his elderly father. Edmonds was convicted of malicious wounding after assaulting his elderly father on June 15, 2023. During an argument, […]
Man convicted of murdering ex-girlfriend and leaving her in a pool of blood
On June 28, 2024, a Newport News jury convicted a Hampton man of murder and two firearms charges for killing his former girlfriend in February 2023 and leaving her body outside her apartment. The jury deliberated several hours after two days of intense testimony about what happened at Nekaybaw Scott’s home on Feb. 6, 2023. […]
Walk To End Gun Violence Focuses on Survivors
On June 12, 2024 the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office participated in the annual walk to end gun violence, which is presented by the Newport News Police Department and the Homicide Support Group, which is comprised of people who have lost a loved one to violence. Commonwealth’s Attorney Howard Gwynn spoke at the event, encouraging those gathered […]