The murder trial of Lee Maynard wrapped up Friday, with a jury finding Maynard, 21, guilty of murder and tampering with physical evidence in the shooting death of his half-brother, Charles Maynard.
Friday’s proceedings began with Circuit Judge Sara Beth Gregory providing the jury instructions for their deliberations, followed by closing statements from Commonwealth’s Attorney Matthew Leveridge and defense attorney James Acton.
Acton argued that Lee Maynard acted in self-defense when he shot and killed Charles on the evening of April 5, 2023. Meanwhile, Leveridge argued that Lee murdered Charles after the two of them became engaged in an altercation at Charles’ residence on Fox Lane near Jamestown.
After closing statements, the jury left the courtroom to deliberate, returning roughly three hours later to deliver the verdict: guilty of murder and tampering with physical evidence.
After delivering the verdict, the sentencing phase was next.
Acton asked the jury to consider the minimum sentence on the murder charge, while Leveridge implored the jury to recommend the maximum sentence: life in prison with possibility of parole.
The jury went back into deliberation for sentencing. About an hour later, the jury delivered a recommended sentence of life in prison with possibility of parole on the murder charge and three years for the charge of tampering with physical evidence to run concurrent.
Formal sentencing in the case is scheduled for July 14. If Maynard is sentenced to life with the possibility of parole, he would become eligible for parole after serving 20 years of his sentence.
