Henrico man convicted of murdering girlfriend
A runaway killer arrested by State Police last year told a Henrico judge this week that he killed his live-in girlfriend in a jealous rage.
But the wounds suffered by 22-year-old Melissa Jamerson spoke to more brutal violence. Forensics evidence showed she suffered from 25 stab wounds to the neck.
Jamerson's body was discovered Nov. 2 in an upstairs bedroom of the couple's apartment at 9001 Patterson Ave. after State Police arrested Justin L. Rice, now 23, near Interstate 64 in Goochland County.
Drivers whose cars had been rammed by Rice, who was bleeding and barely conscious, followed him and called authorities.
Rice towered over Jamerson and outweighed her by more than 140 pounds. He told Circuit Judge Catherine C. Hammond Tuesday that Jamerson threatened to leave him and planned to live with a former boyfriend, the father of her two young children.
"We don't have any reason to believe that was true," said Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney David Stock.
Hammond convicted Rice of second-degree murder and set sentencing for Dec. 8. He faces up to 40 years in prison.
Prosecutors argued that Rice exploded after learning that Jamerson was meeting with the boyfriend and simply assumed the worst. Testimony showed that the meeting was to arrange child support payments, Stock said.
Rice attacked Jamerson sometime the evening of Saturday, Nov. 1, repeatedly stabbing her in the apartment they'd shared since August. He was arrested the next day.
Authorities believe Jamerson was probably on her back during the attack. Rice fled and cut himself repeatedly on the arms, telling officers and a Henrico detective that he wanted to bleed to death.
But he'd also bandaged his wounds and lapsed into gibberish when being questioned in the hospital.
-- Bill McKelway
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Reader Reactions
in response to the children’s father being a dead beat, I’m Melissa’s cousin and the children’s father is not a deadbeat dad. The children are in the custody of their grandparents and are well taken care of. Melissa was not living on her own with two young children and the family was there every step of the way and behind her 100%. The children’s father is very much a part of their lives but Melissa’s parents are better suited to take care of the children and give them what they need. We’ve held a benefit dinner at the church to raise money for the children and their is still an open donation set up. for more information, contact Tabernacle Baptist church on grove avenue. Legal American, you obviously have no heart and if this was one of your family members, I bet you would be singing a different tune. I pray that you and your family never have to go through this.
I again stand next to my comment about people trying to make speculation a fact when it is not. Please do not make accusations on the victims family as you do not know them nor could fathom what they have and are now going through. I do not believe this guy deserves a second chance and hope he gets what he deserves.
I still think that VA should put Capital punishment back. The overly conservative or human rights movement, etc should consider the victim and the victim’s family. What is done to the victim is very inhumane and should not be set-aside. People like this killer should be dealt with eye-for-an-eye mentally. Let’s see how hard he screams for his life. What a waste of life!
To hear about two small children growing up NOW without a momma—-this same momma was obviously not living with the children’s daddy, sperm donor, two rolls in the hay…whatever you want to call him…these children were cursed from conception…INNOCENT NO DOUBT…but still cursed! No daddy now no momma! Where was her family when she was living on her own with two small, helpless children at 22 years old? It is easy to bring out the tissues now—-but where was everyone when she was IN NEED? I wonder who is taking care of these chldren now? I hope someone stepped up to the plate so they don’t have to experience foster care as well as what has already happened in their short but innocent lives!
The problem is that this probably wasnt the first time that he hit her or threatened her… she had no way out… living in a domestic situation is tough and hard for people to walk out… I very seriously doubt she said anything about leaving him because she already knew his temper.
Very unfortunate that this happened, but what is the worst part is there are two small children that will have to grow up without their mother, regardless of her life choices. This boy took her away from them, and from her parents and rest of her family. It is dismaying to see how people are trying to make spectulation into facts. I do believe he deserved the charge of first degree murder based on the circumstances, however due to the gray areas, there may have been a lack of evidence for that charge. I do hope that they charge this boy with the maximum they can sentence him. That would be a “break” for him since there are plenty of people out there who wishes many things much worse than that upon him.
Under Virginia law, premeditation can be formed the instantly. There does not have to be a period of time for calculating. Meaning, the person could have made the decision to kill this girl on the 2nd or 3rd stab and so forth. There’s a model jury instruction defining premeditation.
The problem is, dude looks at 40 yrs for such a horrific crime when he should be looking at life on 1st degree.
A runaway killer…told a Henrico judge this week that he killed his live-in girlfriend in a jealous rage.
But the wounds suffered by 22-year-old Melissa Jamerson spoke to more brutal violence. Forensics evidence showed she suffered from 25 stab wounds to the neck.“
This second paragraph by Bill McKelway simply makes no sense! The 25 stab wounds actually supports this horrible crime having been done in a fit of rage!
And the second-degree murder conviction is entirely appropriate. This obviously was a crime committed on the spur of the moment, not a premeditated crime, which is needed for a charge of first degree murder.
The fact that the defendant is capable of committing such a heinous crime, in a fit of rage, regardless of the underlying cause, certainly speaks towards keeping him off the streets as long as the law of Virginia allows.
Whether the victim threatened to leave Rice to live with a former boyfriend or not is really not germane to the issue.
Yawn….mmmmm….another story of violence involving YOUNG, IMMATURE children trying to play GROWN UP HOUSE!
Convicted of second degree murder???? 25 stab wounds? What is wrong with that picture?
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