A Farmville man recently was sentenced in Lunenburg Circuit Court to four years, 10 months in prison in the shooting death of a former Blackstone resident.
Twenty-two-year-old Cameron Charo Kates was arrested two years ago and charged with First Degree Murder in the shooting death of Sa-Juan Kentrell Nicholson, 19, of Green Bay and formerly of Blackstone.
Nicholson was found dead shortly after 1:00 a.m. on July 29th, 2023 in the 13000 block of Oral Oaks Road between the towns of Kenbridge and Victoria. Sheriff Arthur Townsend said authorities responded to a shooting call and, upon arrival, discovered Nicholson “deceased from gunshot wounds.”
A jury earlier this year convicted Kates of a reduced charge of Voluntary Manslaughter. Judge J. William Watson on Aug. 5th sentenced Kates to 10 years in prison with five years, two months suspended. Kates also was ordered to pay $5,673 in court costs and make $800 restitution. He’ll be on probation for two years.
The jury also convicted Kates of Shooting/Stabbing in Commission of a Felony. Judge Watson sentenced Kates to five years in prison with all five years suspended.
Jurors also convicted Kates of Reckless Handling of a Gun Causing Serious Bodily Injury. Judge Watson sentenced Kates to five years in prison with all five years suspended.
The jury found Kates, who had no prior criminal record, Not Guilty on a charge of Use of a Firearm In Commission of a Felony/First Offense.
With credit for time served awaiting trial, Kates, who was arrested in September 2023, could be free in approximately two years.
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