On May 18, 2010, Dewaughn Brackens was sentenced to five years for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. During the one-day trial, the jury heard that a Newport News police officer saw Mr. Brackens pass a firearm to an associate, who concealed the weapon. Because of the nature of Mr. Brackens’ previous felony conviction, this charge carried a mandatory five-year term of incarceration. In December, another Newport News jury convicted Mr. Brackens of first-degree murder and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony. The victim in that case, Sedjuan Robinson, had met Mr. Brackens in Denbigh the evening before Mr. Robinson was found dead. Later, during a search of a residence where Mr. Brackens had been staying, the murder weapon was recovered. Mr. Brackens claimed ownership of the gun, which was linked to the murder by ballistics evidence. The jury recommended a 33-year sentence, which Judge David F. Pugh imposed on February 26, 2010. ### |
||||