PORTSMOUTH, Va. — A man has been found guilty in connection to the shooting death of woman in Portsmouth last year.
On July 25, 2022, Portsmouth Police responded to a shooting on Jenkins Place. One man was injured and one woman, Charkela Branch, 37, died.
The Commonwealth's Attorney's Office said its evidence showed that Jamar Lafonz Hilliard and Branch were in a relationship and started to fight at Branch's home, according to a release from the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office.
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During the altercation, both parties fired gunshots at each other, according to the Commonwealth's Attorney's Office. As a result, Branch was fatally shot.
Hilliard turned himself in connection to the murder in February of this year.
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A jury found Hilliard guilty of voluntary manslaughter and maliciously shooting into an occupied dwelling. He is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 13.
A trial date for Hilliard additional two charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is still pending.
