Commonwealth's Attorney

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 him for drugs Mitchell had provided. Mitchell stood over Jones, who was sitting on the couch, and Mitchell pummeled Jones’ head multiple times, as reported by an eye witness. Mitchell handed off the drugs to someone else and left. His presence at the house was confirmed by cell phone data.

Jones went to bed and his girlfriend later found him unresponsive, foaming from his mouth. He was taken to the hospital but determined to be brain dead and taken off life support two days later. A forensic neuropathologist determined Jones’ had severe bleeding in his brain and severe swelling of his brain. Jones was 58 years old.

Mitchell called the eye witness after she spoke to the police and wanted to know why she was speaking to the police, which was also confirmed by cell phone data.

Mitchell will be sentenced on February 21, 2024, when he could be sentenced to up to 40 years in prison. Mitchell has previously been convicted of possessing drugs with the intent to distribute and firearms violations.