HENRICO COUNTY, Va. -- The stepfather who police say murdered his stepson in their West End home last year has been found guilty of first-degree murder.
Neil Matthew Waters, 40, was shot and killed October 9, 2019 at a home on Edenburry Drive, off Lauderdale Road.
Randolph Eugene Smith, Waters' 62-year-old stepfather, was arrested and charged with murder.
Smith claimed his stepson lunged at him with a knife and the killing was self defense.
Thursday, a jury didn't buy it, convicting Smith of first-degree murder and use of a firearm.
The jury recommended life behind bars plus three years.
Matt's brother John tells CBS 6 that his big brother was his hero. He recalled how he swallowed a quarter as a youngster and Matt performed the Heimlich to save him.
He said it was a testament of his brothers character.
John added that his brother loved his family and his son.
"I wish these things could be resolved other ways... There's just no excuse for violence at that level," said John.
Randolph Smith will be sentenced January 29, 2021.
