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Man facing murder charges in Chartwell Drive homicide apologizes from behind bars

Man facing murder charges in Chartwell Drive homicide apologizes from behind bars
Posted at 10:16 PM, Feb 27, 2019
and last updated 2022-02-23 16:15:13-05

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - 23-year-old Marquette Lee was facing murder charges after police believed he was involved in the shooting death of Damen Graham.

The 27-year-old was killed after gunfire broke out on Chartwell Drive in Virginia Beach on February 19, 2019.

Lee and two others were arrested and Lee spoke exclusively to News 3 reporter Erin Miller.

He said "things got out of hand" the night of the shooting and no one was supposed to get hurt. He repeatedly apologized to Graham's mother for what happened, saying he loves her like family and wants her to know how sorry he is.

"It's just a lot that went on all at once and it just got stupid, you know what I'm saying? Everything just got out of hand. A mistake was taken place [sic], and I just want her to know that I'm very sorry," Lee says.

Lee wouldn't comment on his relationship with Graham or the others charged in his death.
He said he's a father and would like to be given the opportunity to see his kids grow up.

On February 23, 2022 the Commonwealth’s Attorney for the city of Virginia Beach announced that Lee was sentenced for Second Degree Murder, Shooting from an Occupied Vehicle, Use of a Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm by a Felon. Circuit Court Judge Stephen C. Mahan sentenced Lee to 53 years in prison with 30 years suspended, leaving 23 years to serve.

27-year-old Charles Daquan Wilson of Norfolk and 28-year-old Vanessa C. Johnson of Virginia Beach were both charged with accessory after the fact of a felony.