RICHMOND, Va. — Two men received lengthy prison sentences for the murder of Wilson Negron, a Henrico father of five and beloved Richmond jewelry dealer who was killed during a robbery attempt near Byrd Park in June 2024.
Daquan Brunson was sentenced to 100 years in prison on first-degree murder and several other felony charges in Richmond Circuit Court Friday morning. Investigators say Brunson pulled the trigger in the shooting death of Negron during a robbery attempt.
Richmond Circuit Court Judge Tracy Thorne-Begland noted that the jury’s 100 year sentence was deliberate and meant to send a “statement.”
“The jury is the conscious of our community,” Judge Thorne-Begland said.
Last week, another suspect, Kendell Oliver, was sentenced to 72 years in prison by Judge Thorne-Begland who cited Oliver's lengthy and violent criminal history.
The third accomplice, Lavena Brown, entered an Alford plea to an amended charge of robbery with a firearm. An Alford plea means Brown understood there was enough evidence to convict her of the crime, however she did not admit guilt.
Five of her other serious charges were dropped, including murder, due to her agreeing to testify against Brunson and Oliver. Brown will serve one year and seven months in jail.
Richmond Senior Asst. Commonwealth’s Attorney Alvin Williams admitted much of the evidence in the case was inadmissible and said it would’ve been difficult to obtain guilty verdicts against Brunson and Oliver without her testimony. Both of the accomplices maintain their innocence.
Negron’s oldest daughter, Jazzanaya, visited Richmond from Michigan for the second time in a week to testify about her father.
She described her father’s infectious energy and that “he had personal relationships with everyone he met.”
Williams said Brunson’s criminal history includes a grand larceny and burglary convictions in Chesterfield and felony alluding and possession of a firearm by a felon convictions in Henrico plus probation violations.
Williams noted that Brunson served time at Wallens Ridge State Prison, one of two supermaximum security prisons in Virginia.
“Deterrents have failed,” Williams said.
Brunson’s defense, Kyle Anderson, said his client grew up with an absent father and his life dramatically changed in high school after he searched for his father but was unsuccessful.
Anderson said his client “was not the one who set up this meeting” and the jury’s sentence far exceeded the standard guidelines for the crimes.
During sentencing, Judge Thorne-Begland said “at least two families have been torn apart.”
Citing Brunson’s pre-sentencing report, the judge shared the defendant was removed from John Marshall High School for “behavioral issues” and enrolled into an alternative school.
The judge said Brunson’s mother provided love and guidance but he “left home at 16 to life on the streets”
Judge Thorne-Begland said the witnesses who “watched a man shot down in front of them” was an aggravating factor in the case
“Gun violence, the loss of life, will not be tolerated,” the judge told the court.
As the hearing ended, a family member shouted “Love you Da” and Brunson replied “love you, too.”
Remembering Wilson Negron
Negron, 46, was well-known in the Richmond community as a friendly face at Bellwood Flea Market off Jefferson Davis Highway, where he had been selling and trading gold and silver jewelry for over a decade.
"He was a great guy. He was a very hard worker and he had a really good heart," one friend, who asked to remain anonymous, said in June 2024.
Friends described Negron as passionate about his jewelry business and someone who was always willing to help others.
Negron's family said he frequently visited thrift stores and flea markets to find distinctive pieces of jewelry to sell.
"He loved art. He loved nature. He was very unique. He loved to stand out," his oldest daughter Jazzanaya testified during Oliver's sentencing hearing last week.
WATCH: Their dad was killed near Byrd Park. On his birthday, they got justice
The crime and its impact
According to prosecutors, Oliver's "intimate partner" identified as Brown, first lured Negron to Hampton Street to exchange or puchase jewelry during the middle of the day. Oliver and Brunson then rammed their vehicle into Negron's car, disabling their own vehicle in the process. Brunson fatally shot Negron before they stole his vehicle.
Three neighbors ran outside and started CPR while calling 911, but prosecutors said Oliver returned to the scene in Negron's vehicle, scaring the Good Samaritans away.
The killing has had a devastating impact on Negron's family. His oldest daughter Jazzanaya testified that she couldn't work for a year after her father's death.
"Personally, since his death, it's been really hard. In and out of depression. I lost about 60 pounds when he passed," Jazzanaya said.
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Oliver's sentencing occurred on what would have been Negron's 48th birthday. Outside the John Marshall Courthouse, the victim's family said they got justice.
"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.
The family celebrated Negron's birthday after the hearing.
Nadia Negron, the victim’s daughter, said she was only two minutes away from the crime scene when the shooting happened.
“I was playing outside with my boyfriend at the time. I wanted to leave early and I would’ve been there possibly by the time my dad gotten shot up. I just feel like God is on my side with a lot of this stuff keeping me safe and where I need to be,” she said.
Following Friday's final sentencing hearings in the case, Jazzanaya said it has brought them some peace.
"Obviously, nothing really is going to takeaway the sadness or the grief of missing him. That feeling will remain the same but at least I can sleep peacefully knowing the people who did this were seen in court,” Jazzanaya said.
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