Over a year ago, News 3 told you about a deadly shooting that happened in a shopping plaza in Portsmouth at the intersection of Frederick Boulevard and Turnpike Road.
Court documents say 20-year-old Ja’son Randolph was shot after walking out of a vape shop by Deterryo Harris, who was convicted of second-degree murder.
Watch previous coverage: Homicide investigation underway on Turnpike Road in Portsmouth
"It is a sense of release to have a guilty verdict for my son. I was looking forward to that. But everyday the pain is still there," Jenial Randolph, Ja'Son mother said.
April 11, 2023, the day Ja’Son was killed, is a day Jenial says she’ll never forget.
"I miss his presence and his smile," Jenial said.
Jenial said that her son's killer knew Ja'son since they were children.
Watch related coverage: Nonprofit aims to provide gang prevention tools to Portsmouth students
"They did know each other from childhood growing up around the city. Not only did he take away a life, he threw his whole life away."
The Portsmouth Commonwealth's Attorney Office originally charged Harris with first-degree murder but the jury found him guilty of second-degree murder.
Legal analyst Eric Claville shares why Harris was convicted of second-degree murder.
"In order to prove first-degree murder, one has to prove that it was intentionally. With second-degree murder, you do not. More than likely prosecutors couldn’t prove that this was a premeditated killing but rather a reckless killing," Claville said.
"He could serve between 5 and 40 years in prison for second-degree murder," Claville said.
Deterryo Harris will be sentenced on Jan. 30, 2025, for his charges.
