Criminal cases heard in Northampton Circuit Court

By Linda Cicoira

In Northampton Circuit Court Tuesday, 40-year-old Donnell Lovette Johnson, of Jefferson Avenue in Exmore, was sentenced to two years of active time in prison for August 2024 convictions of abduction by force and assault and battery of a family member.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Vincent deLalla said at the March trial that Johnson assaulted the woman, then used his legs to pin her arms down. The victim managed to get away and ran out of the house. Johnson followed and dragged her back inside, causing extensive road rash injuries. The prosecutor said Johnson also destroyed her phone.

Defense lawyer Carl Bundick said Johnson accepted responsibility for the offenses and has been in jail since Aug. 11, 2024.

In a third case, charges of maliciously shooting at a vehicle as a principal in the second-degree, shooting from a car, threatening to bomb or damage a dwelling, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor were not prosecuted against 24-year-old Jacorey Kellam, of Wilson Court in Cape Charles, when prosecution witnesses did not show up for a bench trial.