Man convicted in break-in, shooting in Beach's Level Green

VIRGINIA BEACH

A jury has recommended an 83-year sentence in the case of a break-in at Level Green from 2008 that ended in a shooting.

Christopher Lee Joyner was convicted today of aggravated malicious wounding, armed burglary, abduction with the intent to extort money, robbery and related firearms charges stemming from an incident on May 7, 2008. 

Prosecutors Philip C. Hollowell and Gordon C. Ufkes argued that Joyner and two accomplices, Randell Thigpen-Knight and Ephraim Lamar McCoy III, burst into the home of Antonio Elliott and Audrey Goodson.

While there, Goodson was dragged from room to room and pistol-whipped as the men searched for money, according to prosecutors.  Then McCoy shot Elliott in the head. Prosecutors said Elliott has had two surgeries and bullet fragments remain in his head.

Knight and McCoy have already been convicted on related charges.

Defense attorney Michael Hockaday argued, however, that Knight, who testified against Joyner during the trial, has not yet been sentenced and has an incentive to lie about Joyner's role. He also questioned why Elliott did not testify about the extent of his injuries.