Suspect indicted in Isle of Wight double homicide
An Isle of Wight Circuit Court grand jury on Friday indicted a man accused of killing his father and stepmother on April 26 with three counts of capital murder.
Joseph Charles "Jay" Joyner Jr. was indicted on capital charges in connection with the deaths of Joe Joyner Sr. and Sandra Joyner, said Isle of Wight Commonwealth's Attorney Wayne Farmer. Legally, Joyner could be charged with three capital offenses because the murders were committed during a robbery and more than one person was killed within three years, Farmer said.
If convicted on any of the capital charges, Joyner could receive the death penalty, Farmer said
"The decision to seek the death penalty was not made lightly but … given the nature of the crime and evidence, I believe it is appropriate," Farmer said, adding that he doesn't recall the last time a capital murder case was tried in Isle of Wight. "It's been a long, long time."
The grand jury also issued indictments charging Joyner with one count each of robbery and using a firearm in the commission of a felony, Farmer said.
Authorities discovered the body of Sandra Joyner inside the couple's home in the 3000 block of Walters Highway on April 26, said Isle of Wight Sheriff Mark Marshall. An autopsy revealed that she died from blunt force trauma to the head, according to police reports.
Police found the body of Joe Joyner Sr. in the woods on the couple's 100-acre Carrsville farm on April 27. The senior Joyner, who made an unsuccessful bid for a seat on the Isle of Wight Board of Supervisors in 2011, was shot in the head.
http://www.dailypress.com/news/crime...,7272275.story
Bookmarks