Absolutely senseless’ killing of York County security officer earns 13-year prison term
York County VA October 3 2018
Describing the killing as “absolutely senseless”, a York County Circuit Court judge on Tuesday sentenced a man to 13 years in prison for the fatal shooting of a security guard who was throwing him out of a party.
Coleston Ryan Lewis, 28 of Newport News, received the maximum time allowed under state law for voluntary manslaughter and three-gun charges.
In May, a jury found him guilty of killing 42-year-old Richard “Bird” Irvin early on Thanksgiving morning 2016 following a pre-Thanksgiving tent party at York County restaurant County Grill & Smokehouse.
The York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office said Irvin, who was working security at the event, was escorting Lewis from the restaurant about 2 a.m. when a fight broke out.
With a collapsible baton in hand, Irvin tried to disarm Lewis, who ran toward Route 17 and shot at Irvin several times, according to Jerry Haywood, another security officer on the scene.
Haywood, who testified he grabbed his gun from his truck as the fight was happening, chased Lewis and shot at him. One of the shots hit a window at nearby Rip’s Food Store, but Lewis wasn’t hit.
After six days on the run, Lewis turned himself in in Newport News.
In handing down the maximum sentence, Circuit Judge Richard Rizk followed the recommendation of the jury, which convicted Lewis after a five-day trial. Lewis intends to appeal, his lawyer said.
In a letter he read in court Tuesday, Lewis – whose two years in jail since Nov. 24, 2016 count toward his total time served – apologized and said he was remorseful.
He also said he wanted charges to be pursued against Haywood.
“He tried to shoot me in the back, which is attempted murder,” Lewis said.
Commonwealth’s Attorney Benjamin Hahn highlighted Lewis’ criminal history, noting convictions for misdemeanors including assault and battery, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and obstruction of justice.
Hahn also played two 30-second recordings of Lewis speaking with his mother and a friend at Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail after the jury trial that Hahn said indicated a lack of remorse.
Defense attorney Timothy Clancy submitted 22 letters of support written by Lewis’s mother, stepfather, brothers, friends and other relatives. Even more letters were received but not given to the court.
Both Lewis’ and Irvin’s families attended the sentencing hearing, although no one testified.
In asking Rizk for a lesser sentence, Clancy emphasized the jury found there was “no malice” in Lewis’s actions.
“There was no evil heart,” he said.
Daily Press
