Sentencing in Matko case to be delayed

RICHMOND, Va. — Today’s scheduled sentencing of former gang member Detavis J. King for the 2007 slaying of Chesterfield County teenager Ryan Matko is to be delayed for several months as his defense attorney seeks to have guilty verdicts set aside.

Defense lawyer Greg Sheldon filed a motion last week to continue the sentencing hearing so he can obtain and review a transcript of the testimony given by a key prosecution witness who Sheldon suggested was the killer.

Chesterfield Commonwealth’s Attorney William W. Davenpor hast said he won’t oppose Sheldon’s request for a continuance.

In his motion, Sheldon says prosecutors failed to provide him certain information about Dominique Johnson before trial that could have been favorable to King or impeach Johnson as a witness. Sheldon said he discovered the evidence on his own after the proceedings.

King was found guilty of first-degree murder and felonious use of a firearm on Aug. 12 by a Chesterfield Circuit Court jury.

Because King was 16 at the time of the killing, his punishment must be decided by Circuit Judge Frederick G. Rockwell III, not the jury. The 18-year-old could be sentenced to serve up to life in prison.