CHESAPEAKE, Va. — The man accused of hitting and killing two people in a car in Chesapeake in July of 2021 was back in court Wednesday.
Ishmell Seymore was scheduled to have a preliminary hearing at 10 a.m. Wednesday, but shortly after 10 a.m., the case was pushed back to 1:30 p.m., with Seymore appearing in court by video.
When the proceeding finally did happen, it only lasted about two minutes. Seymore waived his right to a preliminary hearing.
After a brief audio check by the judge to make sure she and Seymore could hear each other, the judge asked Seymore a few questions as a formality to confirm his decision to waive his right and to explain what the decision means.
"By waiving your right to a preliminary hearing, it means you're not going to get to hear the witness today...It also means you're not going to be able to have (your attorney) cross exam anyone today," the judge said.
News
Chesapeake man charged with hit-and-run, murder after police pursuit ends in crash
Seymore said 'yes, Ma'am' when asked if he understood.
Seymore is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and felony eluding. He was also charged with felony hit-and-run but the judge explained Wednesday that because of a plea deal Seymore, his attorney, and the Commonwealth had reached the Commonwealth plans to drop the hit-and-run charge.
In August of 2021, Seymore was in court for a bond hearing and had his bond denied.
News
Bond denied for man accused in fatal crash that killed two near Greenbrier Mall
Police say the 2021 incident started when an officer spotted Seymore driving recklessly on I-64.
The officer attempted to pull Seymore over, but Seymore did not stop, eventually hitting a truck and a sedan at an intersection after exiting the interstate.
The two people in the sedan, 65-year-old David Jones and 54-year-old Jennifer O'Connell, were killed.
Seymore's attorney and a friend of one of the victims were in court Wednesday but both declined to comment.
As of Wednesday, Seymore's next court date was scheduled for Nov. 14.
