The Virginian-Pilot
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VIRGINIA BEACH
A murder defendant whose first two prosecutions ended in mistrials pleaded guilty Tuesday to voluntary manslaughter, the commonwealth's attorney's office said.
Tommy Lee Owens, 30, was sentenced to 10 years with all but two years and six months suspended, according to a plea agreement.
Owens twice stood trial for murder in the death of Eddie Lee Burnham, who was shot outside a party on Bosco Court early on April 4, 2009.
A Circuit Court judge declared a mistrial in January 2010, saying a juror had made improper comments. A second mistrial followed in May when another jury failed to reach a verdict.
Owens and Burnham, who were acquaintances, attended the same party the night of the shooting and left about the same time, according to a stipulation of evidence in the case. Burnham got into a confrontation with someone in the parking lot as he tried to leave about 3 a.m., the court document stated. Burnham reached for his gun and was shot three times as he tried to draw the weapon, it said. The shooter ran off.
A witness said Owens appeared from the same direction the shooter had run, approached Burnham and fired three more shots, according to the stipulation.
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