A Spotsylvania man accused of shooting a woman in the head during what authorities called a road-rage incident in 2016 has been convicted on several charges.
Jonathan Ray McDonald, 30, was sentenced to 31 years with all but 3½ years suspended June 12 in connection with a shooting June 4, 2016, on Route 199, according to online court records for the York-Poquoson Circuit Court.
Authorities believe McDonald was traveling in a vehicle on Route 199 near the Mooretown Road overpass when he shot into another car, hitting a woman in the head and a man in the face near his eyebrow. Both victims survived the encounter.
McDonald pleaded no contest to felony malicious wounding, misdemeanor assault and battery and felony shooting at a vehicle, court records show. The 30-year-old was originally charged with two counts of aggravated malicious wounding, but both were reduced.
In a no contest plea, a defendant neither admits to or denies committing a crime.
Prosecutors also nolle prossed several charges June 12, including two counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, destruction of property and shooting from a car.
When a charge is nolle prossed, prosecutors agree to not pursue the charges unless new evidence comes to light.
McDonald was scheduled for a three-day jury trial starting June 18, which was withdrawn after he pleaded no contest.
Court records show McDonald’s sentences on each charge will run concurrently. He will be on probation indefinitely upon his release.
McDonald has been incarcerated for more two years, since he was arrested June 7, 2016, three days after the shooting.
A Virginia Department of Corrections database shows McDonald was still incarcerated at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail as of July 2.
While awaiting trial in York County, McDonald was accused of assaulting another inmate at the jail. He was convicted in April 2017, but the charge was amended to trespassing during a circuit court hearing in August 2017.
A defense attorney for McDonald did not immediately answer a request for comment Monday.
