Ssecurity guard gets 30 years for killing Pokemon player

Jiansheng Chen

ASAM NEWS

A judge in Cheasapeake, VA sentenced former security guard Jonathan Cromwell to 30 years in prison in the 2017 killing of a grandfather who was playing Pokemon Go, reported WTKR Monday, (June 24)

Prosecutors say Cromwell, 23, shot and killed Jiansheng Chen, 60, after he pulled his van into the parking area of an apartment complex Cromwell was patrolling.

Cromwell testified Chen had previously been barred from the complex, and that he shot Chen in self-defense as he drove his van towards him.

“He died for no reason,” prosecutor Lori Galbraith said, according to the Virginia Pilot.

The Eastern Virginia chapter of the Chinese American Association and the local chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans issued a joint statement.

“This tragedy has no winner,” the written statement reads. “May God (comfort) both families.”

A jury convicted Cromwell of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Cromwell plans to appeal the verdict.

“Well it’s not fair, because he shouldn’t have been convicted of anything,“ said Cromwell attorney Andrew Sacks, to WAVY.com.

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Securitiy guard guilty for shooting 60-year old Pokeman Go player

GO FUND ME

JIANSHENG CHEN

ASAM NEWS

A Virginia jury has recommended a sentence of 30 years in prison for a security guard who shot and killed 60-year-old Jiansheng Chen, whose family says was playing Pokemon Go at the time of the incident.

Johnathan Cromwell is guilty of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to NBC News.

JOHNATHAN CROMWELL

The jury’s recommendation arrives more than two years after the incident, which occurred on the night of Jan. 26, 2017 in Chesapeake, VA. Cromwell's sentencing is scheduled for June 24 of this year.

“The commonwealth believes, very strongly, that justice was served today in Chesapeake,” Commonwealth’s Attorney Nancy Parr said to the Virginia Pilot.

Chen’s daughter held a framed photo of her father on his birthday after the verdict.

“In the end they’ve lost their uncle, they’ve lost someone they love — they lost their father,” family attorney Scot Flax said. “No verdict will ever bring back Mr. Chen, and that’s the hard part about any of this case.”

Cromwell’s family said they continue to support him.

“Our agenda going forward remains the same — to support Johnathan in any way we can,” his mother Kelley Henry said to the Pilot.

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