Ames gets 20 years for murder of Nicholas Kyle Joseph

Pictured: Just after pleading guilty to first-degree murder and other related charges and while being taken back to Accomack Jail,  Jordan Eric Ames is confronted by the mother and aunt of his victim and tells them he didn’t do it. Linda Cicoira photo.

By Linda Cicoira

A former Onancock man was given 20 years of active time in prison Thursday in Accomack Circuit Court for first-degree murder, robbery, and firearm offenses in the shooting death of a Painter man three years ago.

Jordan Eric Ames, was 17 years old when 23-year-old Nicholas Kyle Joseph, of Painter, was gunned down in his car on Johnson Street in Onancock in October of 2021. Ames lived around the corner with his family on Hill Street when Joseph was killed. The family has since moved to Greenbush.

Workers at the Norfolk Detention Center, where Ames has been held, gave the defendant glowing reports. While there, he graduated from high school and helped tutor and encourage others to get their GEDs. He was also a trustee.

Just before he was sentenced, Ames said he wanted to apologize to the victim’s mother. “I made a lot of mistakes. I take full responsibility for where I am today,” he added.

Ames had a different story when he talked with the victim’s mother outside the courthouse just after pleading guilty at a July trial. At that time, he denied committing the crimes. Ames told the women he had to take the plea. Without the bargain, the defendant could have gotten up to life plus 28 years in prison.

“I hope, and I think, you have shown us what you are,” since incarceration, said Judge Lynwood W. Lewis Jr. “But a man’s dead. The ultimate crime is taking somebody’s life.” He reminded Ames that “You’re going to get out” and “enjoy a balance of life. He’s gone.” The judge also offered some encouragement. “Mr. Ames,” he said. “Don’t give up on yourself.”

Commonwealth’s Attorney Spencer Morgan agreed to the 20-year cap on the sentence in a plea bargain agreement. But Morgan was dismayed by Ames’ lack of cooperation and remorse. He said Ames would not talk to a detective about the case even after his trial. The prosecutor said Ames went along with the rules in previous cases when he was a juvenile and thereby managed to keep car thefts off his record.

According to details from the trial, a nearby doorbell video identified Ames as a potential suspect. DNA evidence and guns were confiscated from the defendant’s home, and gunpower residue was on his hands. In addition, the victim’s cell phone showed recent communication with Joseph. Photos on Snapchat showed pictures of Ames and codefendants posing with weapons.

At a previous hearing, it was stated that Joseph was shot at least five times in the head, extremities, and chest while stopped in the middle of the street at about 3 p.m. The road is near the old Onancock carnival grounds. After being struck by gunfire, the victim’s car continued to move down the road and hit a pole at a nearby intersection. Police found it with the doors open. Joseph died at a hospital the next day.

The victim was alleged in court records to be a drug dealer. Large quantities of bagged marijuana, three guns, and spent casings, were found inside the car. Joseph’s cell phone was found during the autopsy. A bag of marijuana was also found in Ames’ bedroom.