CHESAPEAKE, Va. — A jury found Chesapeake City Councilwoman Amanda Newins not guilty of financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
Newins, elected to Chesapeake City Council in November 2022, faced accusations of financially taking advantage of her great aunt and uncle, who have been described in the courtroom as her closest living relatives and effectively serving as second parents through her childhood and adulthood.
The case centers around the acquisition of a home off of Kempsville Road in Virginia Beach that her great aunt and uncle, Shirley and Bobby Davis, have lived in for roughly 50 years.
Newins' aunt filed a $900,000 lawsuit against the city councilwoman for damages as a result of these accusations.
In fall of 2020, the house was officially transferred to Newins from Bobby and Shirley Davis through a “Gift of Deed” around the same time period her great uncle was diagnosed with late-stage dementia and Alzheimer's. Around the same time, the Davises moved in with Newins and her husband to their Chesapeake home.
In a statement of facts submitted in previous court documents, Newins' great uncle was diagnosed with Alzheimers and late stage dementia that December. Included in this period of transition was the signing of new powers of attorney, wills, as well Newins allegedly being added to Shirley and Bobby's financial accounts.
According to the same statement of facts, Newins acquired the Kempsville Road property after the Davises signed a Deed of Gift, which is "consistent with the desires written in their wills."
Braxton further argued Newins had led Shirley Davis to believe there was "no other option" regarding the ownership of the Davises' assets, in relation to their desire to seek medical assistance for Bobby's declining health.
In her court testimony Wednesday, Newins told jurors she and her husband took steps to support the couple through Bobby's declining health, including Newins' attachment to their financial accounts and becoming their power of attorney.
She admitted to helping write checks for Shirley Davis where she would then sign them, and that she was in constant communication between Bobby and Shirley.
Court documents said the transfer of the house was "consistent with the desires written in their wills."
The verdict came after the jury deliberated for about an hour. In court, Newins broke down in tears when the judge announced she was found not guilty.
Her family members who were in the courtroom supporting her erupted in a brief cheer before the bailiff told them to maintain composure. Shirley Davis sat quietly on the other side of the courtroom with other family members.
"I thank everyone that's been supportive of me. We had justice today," Newins said outside the courthouse. "My uncle was like my father, like everyone heard. He raised me. He shaped me into the woman I am today, so the allegations were extremely hurtful and finally hearing the not guilty verdict was a rush of emotions."
Newins' attorney, Kristin Paulding, said she was pleased with the outcome of the case, adding, "We're thrilled. We've been waiting now for several months and that was the exact verdict we wanted."
Roanoke County Senior Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Bill Braxton handling the prosecution of this case throughout the trial said, "Ms. Newins was presumed to be innocent and she remains that way. I'm satisfied that the community heard the evidence, so I'm satisfied with the verdict."
The court date on the lawsuit against Newins is pending at this time. Newins' attorney called the lawsuit "another hurdle to climb," but would not comment on what comes next for the case.