JAMES CITY COUNTY — The James City County Police Department announced that 43-year-old Lee Rondell Richardson was convicted Thursday of first-degree murder in the September 2022 killing of county resident Alfred Johnson following a three-day jury trial.
The conviction is the culmination of an investigation by the James City County Police Department in coordination with the Williamsburg/James City County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, it said.
On Sept. 13, 2022, at 1:38 p.m., JCCPD and Fire Departments responded to a report of a gunshot victim at the 2600 block of Chickahominy Road. The victim, later identified as 38-year-old Alfred Lamont Johnson, was pronounced dead at the scene after suffering from a gunshot wound, according to police.
The department’s Criminal Investigations Unit took over the case, and police said within days, detectives developed Richardson as a primary suspect. On Sept. 22, 2022, information indicated that Richardson was in Newport News, and a coordinated surveillance effort was executed with assistance from the Newport News Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service, police said. Richardson was taken into custody, transported to the Law Enforcement Center, and subsequently charged following an interview with detectives.
After continued investigation and collaboration with the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office, the case proceeded to trial on June 10. Thursday, the jury found Richardson guilty of First-Degree Murder and Use of a Firearm in the Commission of a Felony.
Richardson remains at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail, police said. Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 15.
The James City County Police Department commended the officers, investigators, partner agencies and the Commonwealth’s Attorney’s Office who contributed to the case.
