Teen found guilty

A Lynchburg teenager was found guilty of murder by the Lynchburg Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court on Monday, Feb. 28.

The boy is being charged as a juvenile since he was only 13 years old when the crime occurred. He faces a maximum penalty of custody of the Department of Juvenile Justice until his 21st birthday.
The youth, along with Vernon Jackson, 16, and Kenneth Jerome Davis, 17, was found guilty for the Sept. 5 killing of George Baker III, 81, of Tempe, Ariz.

Baker was the grandfather of former Liberty student, Leslie Gahagan and was in Lynchburg for his granddaughter’s wedding that day. He was attacked by the boys on Main Street in downtown Lynchburg as he was leaving the wedding reception.

According to Virginia law, those 14 or older who are charged with murder must be tried as an adult and have their records and proceedings open to the public. Since the boy was 13 years old, his sentencing will be determined based on the circumstances of the crime.

The youth is set for a sentencing on April 6.