Release Date: Friday, December 11, 2009 5:00 p.m.
Harvey L. Bryant, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach, announced that today, December 11, 2009, after a two-day jury trial, Sylvester Caffee, 28 years old, previously residing in the 1400 block of Reynard Drivein Virginia Beach, was found guilty of First Degree Murder, Malicious Wounding, Possessing a Firearm by a Convicted Felon, and two (2) counts of Using a Firearm in Commission of a Felony. The jury recommended a total sentence of 45 years. Judge Padrick presided over the trial and formally sentenced the defendant today upholding the jury’s recommended sentence of 45 years.
The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that on May 25, 2005, the defendant shot into a parked vehicle seven times, killing William Johnson and wounding Armond Smith. The shooting took place in the evening hours in the Chanticleer Apartments in Virginia Beach. Before the shooting occurred, the two victims and three of their friends were in the car traveling to the apartment complex. One of the passengers exited the vehicle once it was parked. This passenger witnessed the defendant approach the car, shoot inside at the passengers, and then flee the scene in another car. The defendant was arrested on May 26, 2005 for these charges. When being interviewed by police, Caffee gave different stories of where he was and what happened on the day of shooting.
A jury tried previously on April 29, 2008 resulted in a hung jury.
The defendant had a prior criminal record. In 2001, Caffee was convicted of Grand Larceny in the city of Chesapeake. In 2002, he was convicted again in Chesapeake for Assault and Battery.
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Scott C. Vachris and Associate Commonwealth’s Attorney Wendy R. Alexander prosecuted the case. Please call Julie Pickell if additional information is desired.
Similar Press Releases: felony, first degree murder, Harvey Bryant, malicious wounding
