VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A North Carolina man will serve 53 years in prison after shooting a man six times in the back during a 2023 party in Virginia Beach and being found guilty of first-degree murder earlier this year, the Virginia Beach Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said.
Man convicted in connection with 2023 fatal shooting on Garfield Ave.
Jamieson Josiah Francis, 24, of Fayetteville, N.C., was sentenced Tuesday to 73 years in prison, with 20 years suspended, by Circuit Court Judge Salvatore R. Iaquinto, following a four-day jury trial in July. Francis was also found guilty of using a firearm in the commission of a felony.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office said Francis’ sentence was well-above the high-end of state sentencing guidelines.
Its evidence showed that, on June 15, 2023, Francis and the victim, Lonnie “L.J.” Harvey Jr., 20, were at a family graduation part at a Virginia Beach home. Just after 11 p.m., the Commonwealth’s evidence indicated that the two men were last seen talking outside when witnesses in the party heard gunshots in the street. Those at the party walked outside and found Harvey had been shot multiple times, while Francis had left the scene, leaving behind a gun that was traced back to him…