Thomas Jackson, a 29-year-old College Street resident, paid for an act of bravado at a Thanksgiving dance last year with his life.
One of the men charged with murder in the shooting incident that killed Jackson was convicted Wednesday in Halifax County Circuit Court.
A five-man, seven-woman jury took little more than an hour to convict William Arthur Wells Jr., 25, of Vernon Hill, of second-degree murder and use of a firearm to commit murder.
The jury recommended Wells serve 20 years in prison for the murder conviction, and a mandatory three years for the firearm conviction.
The victim was one of a crowd estimated at 300 people who attended a Thanksgiving dance at American Legion Post 99 during the evening of November 22, according to Commonwealth's Attorney John Greenbacker.
Greenbacker told the court that Jackson came to the aid of his brother, who got into a scuffle on the crowded dance floor sometime before the dance ended at 2 a.m. on November 23.
That scuffle carried over into the parking lot of Post 99 after the dance, where Greenbacker said three separate bursts of gunfire rang out.
A firearms expert called by the prosecution testified that, judging by the shell casings found at the scene, as many as five or six handguns may have been discharged.
One witness testified Jackson said, "You're not hard, I'm going to show all of you you're not hard," as he came out of the building after the second burst of gunfire.
Moments later, Jackson lay dying from three gunshot wounds, the fatal one penetrating the lower abdomen, causing severe loss of blood, according to a forensic pathologist testifying at the trial.
Jackson, who was found to be unarmed, died at the hospital the next day from that wound.
The prosecution's case centered around several witnesses at the scene of the shooting.
One of them was 30-year-old Eric Shawn Edmonds of South Boston, who owned the .40 caliber handgun that fired the fatal shot, according to Greenbacker.
Edmonds, along with 20-year-old Earl Daniel Clark Jr. of South Boston and 20-year-old Quendell Lashawn Williams of South Boston, have been charged with murder in connection with Jackson's death, according to court records.
Edmonds testified that he was in the parking lot after the dance and was near the car he had arrived in when the shooting started.
Edmonds told jurors that he went into the glovebox of the vehicle to look for his .40 caliber handgun, but couldn't find it. Instead, he found a .9mm handgun, which was jammed, preventing him from loading the weapon.
He further testified as he was kneeling by the passenger side of the car, he saw someone throw the .40 caliber gun in the car and run off. Edmonds testified he couldn't identify that person.
After initially hiding the weapon, Edmonds later admitted to authorities that the gun was his and turned it over.
More revealing testimony came from prosecution witness Lawrence Henderson, who recalled part of a conversation with Wells and himself in the parking lot after Jackson was shot.
Henderson reluctantly told Greenbacker that Wells "asked me if I saw him go get the gun."
"I said no. He asked me if I saw him shoot. I said no."
Allen Fallen, also at the scene, testified that Jackson was 25-30 feet away from him when he was shot.
Although he couldn't tell Greenbacker what kind of gun Wells was holding, he testified that he saw Wells holding his arm like he was pointing a gun at Jackson.
"I saw him shoot the gun," Fallen said during defense attorney Greg Casker's cross examination.
Fallen further testified that he saw both Wells and Clark discharging firearms.
Casker told the court that the commonwealth had no evidence directly linking his client to either the murder weapon or the fatal shot at Post 99.
"Edmonds testified he didn't see Wells and that he [Edmonds] owned the handgun that killed the victim," Casker said.
Casker also pointed to portions of Fallen's testimony that indicated Jackson fell from his wounds only after shots were fired from another part of the parking lot other than where the defendant was standing.
"The evidence does not prove...that the defendant killed Thomas Jackson. There's no evidence of malicious intent," said Casker.
"Fallen heard gunshots and thinks he saw the defendant with his arms outstretched but saw no firearm discharge."
Casker continued by saying that there was no evidence Wells possessed the .40 caliber gun or what type of firearm, if any, Wells possessed during the incident.
Pointing to a diagram of the crime scene and the location of shell casings found by police, Casker contended that co-defendant Clark fired the shot that killed Jackson.
"Our contention is that Earl Clark discharged the .40 caliber weapon that killed Jackson," Casker said.
"He was in the area where .40 caliber casings were found."
Greenbacker countered by pointing out that from the evidence presented, "it is obvious that two individuals, Clark and Wells were engaged in shooting at the victim."
"It's obvious that these two people wanted to gun Jackson down because of insults at the dance and the victim's taunts.
"There can be no doubt that when the victim was gunned down the defendant was one of the shooters," the Commonwealth's Attorney alleged.
Judge William L. Wellons revoked Well's prior bond before remanding him to custody to await sentencing in the July term of court.

Two Halifax County men were among the 61 individuals named to Virginia's higher education oversight boards and various college and university boards of visitors by Governor Warner yesterday.
Chris Lumsden, chief executive officer of Halifax Regional Hospital, was named to the State Board for Community Colleges.
Lumsden is the past chairman of the Halifax County Economic Development Council and is a past chairman of the Halifax Education Foundation.
Lumsden was instrumental in securing funding for the Southside Virginia Higher Education Center.
Lumsden said he felt it was important to have a local appointment to the state board.
"Hopefully, I can add something to the board and at the same time do my best to represent this region," he said.
W.W. "Ted" Bennett was named to the Board of Visitors of Longwood University.
Bennett is a former member of the House of Delegates who represented Halifax County from 1989 until his retirement last year.
Bennett served as the chairman of the 1996 Commission on the Future of Public Education in Virginia.
He also sponsored legislation establishing the Southside Business and Education Partnership, located at Longwood University.
Bennett said he hopes the appointment will further strengthen the relationship between Halifax County and South Boston.
"I'm looking forward to serving in this capacity, and hope to continue to cement the relationship between Longwood University and Halifax County," Bennett said.
The former delegate also said he hopes to increase the university's presence in the county.
"My hope is to help Longwood further penetrate Southside even more than it already is," he said.
Del. Clarke Hogan was particularly pleased to have Lumsden and Bennett appointed to the positions.
"This is a big deal," Hogan said yesterday. "Chris and Ted bring a lot of experience with their long involvement with the Higher Education Center."
"This is a huge benefit to our community," he added.
The delegate said that with multiple campuses involved, Lumsden's involvement will be a positive benefit to the county, since funding for workforce training issues can be more expensive than regular coursework.
Another Southside man was named to serve by the governor.
Ben Davenport Jr., of Chatham, was named to the Board of Visitors of Virginia Tech.
Davenport is the chairman of Chatham Oil Company and First Piedmont Corporation, and is a 1964 graduate of Virginia Tech.
He currently serves on the boards of the Virginia Tech Foundation, Averett University and Hargrave Military Academy.
The announcement was made as Gov. Warner made a series of appointments to Virginia's higher education oversight boards and various college and university boards of visitors.
Appointees were reviewed by the Governor's Advisory Commission on Higher Education Board Appointments.
The commission is charged with selecting the appropriate candidates from among those nominated.
"The commission reviews individuals nominated for appointment to college and university boards based on merit, experience, sound judgement and proven leadership," Warner said.
The governor said he was pleased with the choices made by the commission.
"These outstanding men and women share my commitment to ensuring a system of quality higher education is available to all Virginians," the governor said. "Our public colleges and universities face big challenges in the current budget climate.
"I'm pleased the members of my Advisory Commission have brought a bipartisan, merit-based approach to the selection process," Warner added.

"I would like these people to see our situation firsthand," Congressmen Virgil Goode said yesterday.
Goode will be joined by Senators John Warner and George Allen, as well as members of the U.S. Department of Labor on a tour of Southside Virginia Monday in an effort to focus the attention of national government on the plight of Southside workers.
The group will stop at the Virginia Employment Commission on Seymour Dr. at 2:30 p.m.
In the wake of the closings of Burlington Industries and JPS, and with double-digit unemployment plaguing Southside, many Halifax County workers are facing the very real possiblity of losing everything they worked for as the impact of an economic downturn unheard of in Southside Virginia hits home.
Halifax County reported 11 percent unemployment in March of 2002, compared with a Virginia average of 4.1 percent.
Both Danville Community College and Southside Virginia Community College have applied for emergency funding through the Workforce Investment Board to assist in training workers affected by plant closings.
The WIB is made up of local civic and governmental leaders, the congressman said.
Goode is hoping that once the group sees firsthand the plight of Halifax County workers, more funding may be made available through the Workforce Investment Act.
"They are coming down to couple their expertise with seeing the area firsthand," he said.
"Monday is an opportunity for the folks from the Department of Labor to see the plight of Southside," the congressman added.
Goode said he hopes to focus attention on the economic outlook and high unemployment in the area.
The group will address workforce training issues and challenges, programs in place to address the issues, and resources needed to better address them.
Among those touring the area are:
·Anthony Bedell- Legislative Affairs, Department of Labor.
·Erika Baum- Employment and Training, Department of Labor.
·Nat Wienecke- Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, U.S. Department of Commerce.
·Becky Aydlett- Director of the Workforce Investment Act Board of Region 17.
·Harold Kretzer- Manager of the State Dislocated Worker Unit in Richmond.
·Laurie Moran- Chair of the Workforce Investment Act Board.
Goode said he is hopeful that once the group sees the effects the current economy has had on Southside, more federal help will be available.
"It's our hope that once they see the area firsthand, they will look favorably on the Workforce Investment Board's request," the congressman said.

Starting Monday, all children under age six must be properly secured in a child safety seat or booster seat.
No weight limits are considered, only age.
A violation will result in a $50 fine, an increase from the currenmt $25 fine, plus court costs.
The change in the child safety seat law is a big change from the current law which says children who are four years of age or who weight 40 pounds must be secured in a child safety seat or booster seat.
Another new law going into effect Monday mandates that youths ages 16 and under must wear a seat belt regardless of where they are seated in the vehicle.
In an effort to encourage compliance with the new child safety seat law, local troopers will provide a free inspection of the child safety seat for parents and guardians who request them.
"We invite people to come by the office in Halifax anytime for an inspection of their child safety seat," said First Sgt. J.N. Lane.
First Sgt. Lane said that for the next three months, State Police as well as the South Boston Police Department, the Town of Halifax Police Department and the Halifax County Sheriff's Department will set up checking details to enforce compliance of the new law.
He noted that during the month of July police will operate check points as part of the state's Safe & Sober program.
That is a two-pronged program that targets DUI and seat belt enforcement.
Another new law that will go into effect Monday prohibits having an open container of alcohol in a motor vehicle.
Under this law, a police officer may assume that a driver has been drinking alcohol and driving if he or she observes an open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a vehicle and or that the alcoholic beverage in the open container has been at least partially removed.
Also going into effect Monday is a law pertaining to aggressive driving.
Law enforcement officers may punish drivers if they witness following too closely or failure to observe lanes marked for traffic, with the intention to intimidate, harass, obstruct or injure another person.
Area motorists should also be aware that starting Monday the cost of annual state inspections for cars and trucks will increase from $10 to $15.

Last year teams from South Boston and Halifax County, three in softball and two in baseball made it into the World Series.
Among the Dixie Softball contingent, the Halifax County Debs, the Halifax County National Ponytails and the Halifax County National Belles made it to the World Series.
On the baseball side, the South Boston Dixie Majors and the South Boston Dixie Boys 13-Year-Old all-star teams made it to the big show.
The long road to the World Series begins this weekend as a handful of area baseball and softball teams open district tournament play.
South Boston's Dixie Pre-Majors and Dixie Majors all-star teams will open district tournament play today in Farmville with action in the double elimination event continuing into next week.
The South Boston Dixie Pre-Majors all-star team under coach Todd Trickey will face Prince Edward-Farmville today at 4 p.m. in what will be the second game of the Pre-Majors tournament.
The losers of today's two games will face each other Saturday at 2 p.m. and the winners of today's two games will square off at 4 p.m.
Also getting underway today is the Dixie Majors event with South Boston facing Mecklenburg tonight at 8 p.m. in what will be the second game of that tournament.
Lunenburg will have a bye in today's first round.
If the South Boston Dixie Majors lose tonight, they will play again Saturday at 8 p.m.
On the other hand, if South Boston wins, it will receive a bye on Saturday and will play in Sunday's late game.
Also getting started this weekend are the district tournaments for the Angels and Ponytails divisions of Dixie Softball.
The District 7 tournaments for both divisions will be played this weekend at Gretna High School with the Angels division opening the action tonight and the Ponytails beginning play on Saturday.
In the Angels division, Halifax County American will face Motley tonight at 8 p.m. in a game that will follow an opening ceremony which has been set for 7:30 p.m.
Halifax County American will face the winner of today's game between Brookneal and Charlotte County in a game scheduled for 12 noon Saturday.
Ponytails action starts at 4 p.m. Saturday with Halifax County National facing Charlotte County in the opening game of that tournament.
Brookneal will face Halifax County American at 6 p.m. Saturday in a game that will precede an opening ceremony for that tournament.
A second wave of district baseball and softball tournaments will be launched next weekend.
In softball, the Belles District 7 Dixie Softball Tournament will begin Saturday, July 6 in Brookneal.
District tournament action for the South Boston Dixie Boys 13-Year-Old all-star team and the South Boston Dixie Boys 13-14-Year-Old all-star team will open next weekend in Farmville.
The only tournament action to be played on local diamonds next week will be the Dixie Youth Baseball Minor League Sub-District Tournament which will open next Friday, July 5, at the Day Complex in South Boston.
Local Dixie Youth Baseball Major League teams will play in the Sub-District Tournament at Scottsburg.
That tournament will begin Friday, July 12.

Harold Bradcher Brogden

Harold Bradcher Brogden, 72, of 1404 Moore Street, South Boston, died June 25 in the V.A. Hospital in Salem.
Mr. Brogden was born in Granville County, NC on March 27, 1930, the son of Early P. Brogden and Mary Bell Cash Brogden and was married to Ophelia Wilson Brogden.
He was a member of Florence Avenue Baptist Church, a member of American Legion Post 8, the Disabled Veterans, a former member of Virgilina Vol. Fire Dept. and the South Boston-Halifax County Museum. Mr. Brogden was a retired truck driver with A.E. Morris Trucking and was an Army Veteran.
Survivors include his wife of the home; one daughter, Joy Brogden Butler and husband, Raymond of South Boston; one son, Ricky A. Brogden and wife, Sharon of South Boston; one sister, Margaret Humphries of Oxford, NC; three granddaughters, Karen Lee Butler, Elisabeth Cayce Brogden and Sarah Bliss Brogden; and three grandsons, Raymond Allen Butler, Nicholas Brian Butler and Shane Allen Brogden.
A funeral service for Mr. Brogden will be held today, June 28 at 2 p.m. at Florence Avenue Baptist Church with the Revs. John Eure and Leslie Puryear officiating. Burial will take place in Virgilina Cemetery.
Those wishing to give memorials are asked to consider Disabled American Veterans, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, Ohio 45250-0301-Attn: Gift Processing Department.

Lillian Jackson

Lillian Jackson, 67, formerly of South Boston, died June 26 at Prince George's Hospital in Landover, MD.
She was born in Halifax County on May 18, 1935, the daughter of the late Jefferson Jackson and Lillie Tucker Jackson, and was a member of First Baptist Church of Ferry Street, South Boston.
Survivors of Miss Jackson include three sons, Stanley Jackson, Shelton Jackson and Chris Lofton, all of Washington, DC; five grandchildren; three sisters, Celeste Holt of South Boston, Ann Shorter of VA, and Ruby Overby of Landover.
Funeral services will be held June 30 at 2:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the home of Celeste Holt, 609 Easley Street.

Wallace Junior 'L.W.' Yancey

Wallace Junior 'L.W.' Yancey, 52, of 7212 Huell Matthews Highway, Alton, died June 24.
Mr. Yancey was born in Person County, NC on June 17, 1950, the son of Leo Yancey and the late Lillie Day and was married to Louella Carrington Yancey. He was a member of Mayo Grove Baptist Church.
Survivors include his wife; three children, Harold D. Carrington of Cluster Springs, Michelle C. Jones of Rougemont, NC and Wytonia Yancey of Cluster Springs; three sisters, Madeline Y. Wilkerson of Oxford, NC, Mary Easterling of Cluster Springs and Katherine B. Stanfield of South Boston; one brother, Hurel D. Bumpass of Columbia, SC; one son-in-law, Jerry T. Jones of Rougemont, NC; four brothers-in-law, Harold R. Carrington and Al Easterling, both of Cluster Springs, John Wilkerson of Roxboro and Leon B. Stanfield of South Boston; four sisters-in-law, Rose Bumpass of Columbia, Carolyn Barnette and Odell Carrington, both of Cluster Springs and Paula Burrell of Silver Springs, MD; and four grandchildren.
Funeral services for Mr. Yancey will be held June 29 at 2 p.m. at Mayo Grove Baptist Church with the Rev. Michael Winfree officiating. Burial will follow in Cedar Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Roxboro.
The family is receiving friends at the home of Madeline Yancey Wilkerson, 1051 Clarksville Road, Virgilina.