Harvey L. Bryant, Commonwealth’s Attorney for the City of Virginia Beach, announced today that Torrey Lavell Washington, 33 years old, formerly of the 900 block of Jay Are Court, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, was found guilty by a jury of Armed Burglary, Robbery, two (2) counts of Abduction, and three (3) counts of Use of a Firearm. The jury recommended a sentence of 38 years and 12 months’ imprisonment plus a fine of $5,500. Circuit Court Judge Les L. Lilley, who presided over the three-day trial, will formally sentence Washington on April 17, 2013.
The Commonwealth’s evidence proved that on the evening of October 2, 2011, Torrey Washington and an unknown accomplice forced their way into an apartment in the Harpers Square complex in the City of Virginia Beach. A husband, wife, and their two young children were asleep in the home. Washington’s co-conspirator was armed, and both men had their faces partially covered. Washington remained the “look out” and held the victims’ front door closed. His accomplice ordered the father, followed by mother and child, to the floor at gunpoint, demanding money and property. The mother lay over her child to protect her while the home was ransacked. Ultimately the gunman took cell phones, money, and a gun belonging to the father. He forced the family into the bathroom, then he and Washington fled the residence.
Detectives with the Virginia Beach Police Department responded and began an investigation. Forensic evidence was collected and processed. Washington’s fingerprint was recovered from the front door of the home, linking him to the home invasion.
Washington was previously tried by a jury for these crimes in June, 2012. Judge Patricia L. West declared a mistrial when the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. “The Commonwealth elected to re-try the case as the evidence clearly supported a verdict of guilty,” Bryant said. “I commend Associate Commonwealth’s Attorney Julie Fink for her dedication and hard work on this case.”
Washington has previous convictions for Possession of a Controlled Substance (2 counts), Trespassing, Assault and Battery of a Family Member, and Indecent Exposure.
The case was prosecuted by Associate Commonwealth’s Attorney Julie L. Fink. Please contact Macie Pridgen if additional information is desired.