Several sentenced in Northampton Circuit Court

By Linda Cicoira

A 62-year-old Exmore man pleaded guilty Monday in Northampton Circuit Court to unlawful wounding in connection with a July 2024 stabbing that started as a fistfight when another man got ahead of him in a food line at a party.

Ronald E. Rowley, of Frederick Douglas Road, was initially charged with malicious wounding, which is considered a more serious felony. That charge was lowered in a plea bargain that called for Rowley to be sentenced to no more than a year in jail with three years of supervised probation and 10 years of good behavior.

The victim was Purnell Mason Sr. He told an officer that when the fight was over, “he realized that he was bleeding from his chest.”

Commonwealth’s Attorney Jack Thornton said the defendant “had visible marks on his face” and a cut finger from the incident. The victim was taken to the local hospital and was later transferred to Norfolk for treatment.

Judge Lynwood W. Lewis Jr. accepted the agreement. He deferred sentencing until a short-form presentence report could be made, and he allowed Rowley to remain on bond until sentencing, set for April 14. The maximum penalty for the crime is five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

In another case, Jacorey Kellam, of Wilson Court in Cape Charles, was granted a $5,000 secured bond. He was indicted last month on counts of maliciously shooting at an occupied vehicle as a second principal, shooting a firearm from a vehicle as a second principal, threatening to bomb or burn, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Vincent daLalla argued against the bond. He said Kellam was a danger to the community because he was on good behavior after a previous conviction for making threats when the incident occurred.

“When firearms are in use, it gives us concern,” the judge said. But he set the bond since Kellam was not suspected of being the one who used the gun. Lewis also ordered Kellam to have no contact with the victims.

Forty-nine-year-old Rebecca June Parks, of Exmore, pleaded guilty to providing cocaine as an accommodation in 2023. She told authorities she gave the drug to a family friend because she was afraid if he got it “off the street, it might contain fentanyl and could kill him.” She was sentenced to five years with all but 30 days suspended. Parks will be on two years of supervised probation and 10 years of good behavior.

Fifty-one-year-old Anthony Joseph Mulliker, of Cape Charles, pleaded guilty to stealing rods and reels valued at more than $1,000 and stealing the property with intent to sell on Dec. 20, 2022. He was sentenced to 10 years each with all but 12 months suspended with the condition that he complete a Department of Corrections rehabilitation program. He will be on supervised probation for three years and good behavior for 10 years.

     Twenty-seven-year-old Marie Nicole Williams, of Cape Charles, pleaded guilty to uttering a forged check and unlawfully obtaining property last May. A plea bargain agreement called for her to repay a local bank $3,900 for several checks she forged that belonged to her father. A long-form presentence report was ordered. Sentencing was set for May 27.