A Norfolk man will spend the rest of his life in prison for the killing of a mother of two and a state witness for assaulting her over a $15 debt.
Norfolk Circuit Court Trial Judge Robert B. Rigney sentenced 44-year-old Curtis Gerald Smith to two life terms in prison for the shooting death of 24-year-old Precious Larchae McClendon. Smith was found guilty and convicted of found guilty of first-degree murder and aggravated malicious wounding.
“Every murder is bad, by definition, but murdering someone who is expected to testify in court against you is one of the most aggravating factors known to the law. Mr. Smith did just that, and he permanently paralyzed another person who happened to be nearby. … My condolences to Ms. McClendon’s family and my continued wishes for healing to the surviving victim,” said Commonwealth’s Attorney Ramin Fatehi, according to 13 News Now.
On Sept. 3, 2023, around 1 am, Norfolk Police responded to the 700 Block of Church Street after reports of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found McClendon’s body with a gunshot wound and another man who was rushed to the hospital with a non-life-threatening injury. McClendon was declared dead at the scene.
Smith was arrested two days later by the U.S. Marshal and the Norfolk Police Fugitive Task Force.
According to investigators, the defendant had assaulted McClendon two months prior to the fatal incident over an alleged $15 debt the victim owed. At the time, another man had tried to intervene, which led to an exchange of gunfire, with Smith suffering a gunshot wound to his leg. Later, Smith was arrested after he showed up at the hospital with a gunshot wound, and McClendon identified him as the man who assaulted her. The defendant was released on bond despite prosecutors' pleas at the time.
As a result, investigators believe the motive for McClendon’s killing was related to the prior shooting after the victim was scheduled to testify against Smith, reported WAVY.
Though the latest witness survived the ordeal, he suffered paralysis and became bedridden. However, the witness was able to identify the defendant as the shooter and testified in court on a portable medical bed.
The judge sentenced Smith to an additional 13 years in prison.
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