Jury convicts pair of first-degree murder in I-64 shootout

[Blue_Tires]

A jury deliberated for five hours Monday before finding two men guilty of first-degree murder in the kidnapping and shooting death of a Norfolk man that ended in a bloody highway shootout.

A Chesapeake jury found Dedrion Short, 32, guilty of first-degree murder, abduction for pecuniary benefit, malicious wounding of a police officer and three weapons violations.

The panel found co-defendant Willie Simmons, 21, guilty of first-degree murder, abduction and two weapons charges. Simmons was acquitted of malicious wounding of a police officer and a third weapons offense.

The jury, made up of seven men and five women, is scheduled to hear more witnesses today and recommend sentences for the two men. The first-degree murder charge for the death of Tione Vincent carries a maximum punishment of life in prison.

"Justice was served today," said Gwendolyn Moore, grandmother to Vincent's daughter.

The eight-day trial featured the testimony of Short, a four-time convicted felon, and his version of the June 1 kidnapping, police chase and murder of Vincent.

Facing the possibility of a life sentence, Short told the jury he was forced to drive a van throughout the kidnapping by Christopher "C.C." White. Short said Vincent was his friend and he disliked White.
http://hamptonroads.com/2010/03/jury-convicts-pair-firstdegree-murder-i64-shootout