Tyshaun Thomas was found guilty Tuesday of first-degree murder and three other felony charges and sentenced to life in prison.
Thomas, 32, of Newport News, killed 23-year-old Dontae Howard and wounded Leonard Walker, both of whom he had never met, outside the Clarion Hotel in Williamsburg after a Christmas party Dec. 18, 2011.
After a two-day trial, a jury in the Williamsburg James City County Circuit Court found him guilty of first-degree murder, malicious wounding and use of a firearm in both crimes. The six man, six woman jury deliberated a little more than an hour.
Thomas received a sentence of life in prison for the murder charge, 20 years for malicious wounding, five years for use of a firearm in a malicious wounding and three years for use of a firearm in a first-degree murder.
Judge Michael McGinty, who presided over this week’s trial, is responsible for making a final decision on the sentencing. A pre-sentence report is scheduled for March 8.
“Obviously we couldn’t ask for anything more from the jury. It’s still heartbreaking that nothing we could do could right the wrong done to his family,” said Nate Green, the commonwealth’s attorney for the City of Williamsburg and James City County. “Nothing we could do could make sense of this senseless act of violence against Dontae Howard.”
Green presented the commonwealth’s case with Michael Gaten, assistant commonwealth’s attorney.
The sentencing came after Howard’s sister spoke of the loss their family has endured, describing how sometimes she awakes in the middle of the night “drowning in tears” over the death of her big brother.
“I ask [my parents] , ‘How can you forgive someone who could take your son’s life?’” Delisa Howard said on the stand. “They say they have to because they need peace. … All we wanted was justice to be served.”
Thomas’ uncle and sister spoke on his behalf, both expressing deep sorrow to the Howard family while also speaking of Thomas as a loving brother, nephew and father.
“In this case here two lives are destroyed,” Tony Thomas said. “… My prayer is that God will heal all wounds.”
Today’s guilty verdict continues a list of felony convictions for Thomas that dates back to 2000. He has previously been convicted of violating the Drug Control Act, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm by a convict, domestic assault and battery, and twice violating the terms of his supervised release.
The last homicide in the City of Williamsburg was the Sept. 21, 2005, shooting death of Ralph Carter Jr. on the 300 block of Ironbound Road. His ex-girlfriend, Wanda Burnette, was convicted of first-degree murder.
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