RICHMOND, Va. — Richmond Circuit Court Judge Tracy Thorne-Begland sentenced Kendell Oliver to 72 active years in jail for his role in a June 2024 homicide near Byrd Park.
Oliver is one of three defendants arrested for the robbery and homicide of Wilson Negron, a Henrico father of five.
Judge Thorne-Begland cited Oliver’s lengthy and violent criminal history and repeated opportunities for rehabilitation offered through various plea deals for handing down the maximum sentence.
The judge said there was “overwhelming evidence” against Oliver despite the defendant telling the victim’s family that he was innocent.
“I did not kill y’all people,” Oliver said to the victim’s family. “I didn’t kill your father.”
Richmond Senior Asst. Commonwealth’s Attorney Alvin Williams said Oliver’s “intimate partner” first lured Negron to Hampton Street to exchange jewelry during the middle of the day.
Oliver and his co-defendant who pulled the trigger, Daquan Brunson, first rammed their vehicle into Negron’s vehicle, Williams said.
Williams said the collision disabled the defendants’ car and they then stole Negron’s vehicle after Brunson fatally shot the victim.
Three neighbors ran outside and started CPR while calling 911 on the victim before prosecutors said Oliver returned to the scene in Negron’s vehicle, scaring the Good Samaritans away. Oliver’s fingerprints were found on a sign that was taped to cover their license plate.
Oliver was given 100 years with 50 years suspended each for 1st degree murder and robbery resulting in death, both sentences to run concurrently. He was sentenced to three years for use of a firearm resulting in murder, five years for use of a firearm to commit robbery, and 10 years for conspiracy to commit robbery.
Judge Thorne-Begland also revoked a previously suspended four year sentence for a previous firearm violation.
A jury has recommended Brunson serve a 100-year sentence. He is scheduled to be sentenced February 20.
Prosecutors urged the judge to give Oliver at least 60 years in prison. After court, Williams and Richmond Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Kohler both said the judge’s sentence was “appropriate.”
The Friday morning hearing began contentious as Oliver ordered his teenage daughter out of the courtroom.
“I love you. I don’t want you to see this,” Oliver told his daughter.
The defense cited an evaluation that showed Oliver was born to a crack addicted mother, moved from home to home during his youth, and repeated several grades.
Jazzanaya Negron, the victim’s oldest daughter, testified her father’s killing was traumatizing and she couldn’t work for a year.
“Personally, since his death, it’s been really hard. In and out of depression. I lost about 60 pounds when he passed,” Jazzanaya said.
Outside the John Marshall Courthouse, the victim’s family said they got justice on what would’ve been their father’s 48th birthday.
“I don’t think the time would ever be enough. Unfortunately, a life was taken and Mr. Oliver gets to continue to live on this earth. It should’ve been life for him, but we are happy we got justice today,” Jazzanaya said.
They described Negron as a hard-working man who was strong physically, mentally, and spiritually. He was known to frequent thrift stores and flea markets to find unique pieces of jewelry to sell.
“He loved art. He loved nature. He was very unique. He loved to stand out,” Jazzanaya testified.
Negron’s family said they planned to go out to eat to celebrate his birthday.
“We are trying to keep your positivity alive,” Negron’s daughter Nadia said after court.
Negron’s second-oldest daughter shared this message to her father: “Happy Birthday. We are going to celebrate you and always. We got justice today.”
This is a developing story. Email the CBS 6 Newsroom if you have additional information to share.
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