NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — One chapter ends in the years-long case of a Norfolk teen kidnapped and then killed in Newport News in 2020.
On Friday, a judge sentenced Crystal Albritton to life in prison for the death of 17-year-old Granby High School student Asia Cowell. Albritton also received three years for a gun charge related to the case, which will be served consecutively.
The investigation revealed that Asia was killed in an attempt to stop her from testifying as a victim in her own alleged rape case.
Albritton is one of three people charged with first-degree murder in Asia's death, including her husband Devin Albritton and Dazha Feaster, the sister of the man Asia was supposed to testify against.
On September 7, 2020, Asia was lured to Albritton’s home under the pretense that she had an appointment where she was booked as a hairdresser. Asia was dropped off by her aunt, Tatina Cowell, but was never contacted again to be picked up.
Albritton, with the help of Feaster and her husband, held Asia captive before driving her to Newport News where she was ultimately shot and killed.
“I believe she’s praising in heaven, rejoicing, I know she’s been with us up until today," Tatina Cowell said after the sentencing.
Charges were eventually withdrawn -- nolle prossed -- for the man accused of raping the teen.
Tatina Cowell, broke down testifying in court calling her niece "a light so bright."
While Asia's death still leaves a void in her family, they now feel justice was served.
“She had a huge heart," Asia's aunt said on the witness stand. "That she cared for people in a way that sometimes people our age people don’t care.”
Albritton had previously pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, acknowledging her involvement in orchestrating the kidnapping plot meant to keep Asia from testifying.
Her attorney argued that her guilty plea, which saved the family from enduring a trial, was reason to believe Albritton had accepted responsibility and come to terms with her involvement in the crime and should have been considered in not receiving a life sentence.
Prosecutors countered back that Albritton carrying out the kidnapping and shooting at the time demonstrated she did not take responsibility for her actions.
The Commonwealth Attorney's Office also argued that Albritton is the person who actually pulled the trigger, dispelling notions by the defense attorney that the claim is based solely on Feaster's recounting of events.
“There is a sense she has a certain power over us because of the hurt she places on us. She doesn’t deserve this weight she has on us," Cowell said. "Asia wouldn’t want us to have it," she added.
Albritton's husband will be sentenced for his involvement in Asia Cowell's murder on September 6 and has already pleaded guilty.
It still doesn't fill the void left by her absence, said brother Adarius Cowell.
“It don’t bring her back, so everybody that has brothers and sisters you have to cherish the time with them, you may not see and realize what you have," he said.