PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A man was sentenced to 14 years on Friday for murdering a woman in Portsmouth, the Office of Commonwealth's Attorney said.
Jamar Lafonz Hilliard was convicted of shooting and killing Charkela Branch, 37.
On July 25, 2022, police responded to the 10th block of Jenkins Place where they found a man and woman seriously hurt from a shooting. The two were transported to the hospital, where the woman later died.
Following a three-day trial on Oct. 4, 2023, the jury found Hilliard guilty of voluntary manslaughter and maliciously shooting into an occupied dwelling. He was also found guilty of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in a separate trial.
Hilliard was given 10 years for the voluntary manslaughter charge, followed by five years of supervised probation upon release; 10 years with seven suspended for maliciously shooting into an occupied dwelling followed by 5 years of supervised probation upon release; and three years with two suspended for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and two years of supervised probation upon release.
