Release Date: Tuesday, December 1, 2009 4:00 p.m.
Harvey L. Bryant, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach, announced today that Tommy James Graham, Jr., 24 years old, previously residing in the 1000 block of Ivaloo Street, Norfolk, Virginia, was sentenced for the convictions of First Degree Murder, Robbery and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of Robbery. The Honorable William R. O’Brien formally sentenced Graham according to the jury’s recommendation of life plus fifty-three years in the Virginia Department of Corrections.
The Commonwealth’s evidence proved during the jury trial that on September 22, 2005, the victim, Anton Paumer James, was walking home at approximately 1:30 A.M, having just completed his shift as a cook at PF Changs restaurant located in the Virginia Beach Town Center. The defendant and two other suspects were driving around looking to rob someone when they came upon the victim on Broad Street near the intersection of Rosemarie Avenue.
Graham, the driver of the vehicle, let the two other suspects out of the vehicle while he drove down the street and turned off the headlights. The suspects approached the victim and took his backpack at gunpoint. The victim fought back and then ran from the gunmen. The defendant saw the victim run away and accelerated, striking the victim with the vehicle causing massive internal injuries. The medical examiner opined that the victim’s injuries were so extensive that he expired within minutes of being struck by the vehicle.
The Virginia Beach police investigated the case for approximately eleven months before receiving an anonymous tip about the defendant’s involvement in the crime. When interviewed by detectives, the defendant confessed to murdering the victim. Upon recovering the suspect vehicle, detectives sought the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in conducting a fracture comparison of parts recovered at the crime scene and broken parts of the vehicle. The FBI found an exact match.
The defendant has an extensive criminal record of twenty-three prior convictions including the following charges: Arson, Burglary, Grand Larceny, Auto Theft, Eluding Police and Assault of Law Enforcement Officers.
“At taxpayer expense, this criminal was allowed to switch his court-appointed defense team three times, amongst other delay tactics;” Bryant said. “Criminals have a right to speedy trial they don’t want and rarely exercise. Our state legislature needs to pass a victim’s speedy trial statute that would reduce the manipulative delays so easily employed in this and other cases. Anton Paumer James’ family had a long, excruciating wait for justice.” Bryant concluded.
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Thomas Murphy and Senior Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Lyla Zeidan prosecuted the case. Please call Julie Pickell if additional information is desired.
Similar Press Releases: first degree murder, Harvey Bryant, Robbery
