In the late hours of a November night in 2016, a tragedy unfolded in Newport News, Virginia, that would ultimately claim the life of 42-year-old Tommy Jason Strayhorn. On November 25th, in the 500 block of Randolph Road, Strayhorn was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency services arrived to find him shot behind the ear and in the ankle. He was rushed to a local hospital for treatment, but several days later, he succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the shooting led by the Newport News police identified three individuals as suspects in the violent crime. The ensuing months saw the apprehension of these men. The first to be taken into custody was James Curtis Miles, who was arrested in Hampton on December 21, 2016. He was later followed by Kardara Miles, who was apprehended in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 2, 2017, and Marqui Pittman, who was arrested on March 24, 2017.
Justice for Tommy Strayhorn was pursued through the court system, resulting in convictions and significant prison sentences for all three men involved. Marqui Pittman was sentenced to life in prison for murder, in addition to convictions on firearm and robbery charges. James Curtis Miles was found guilty of first-degree murder, robbery, and multiple firearm charges, leading to a sentence of 55 years in prison. The final co-defendant, Kardara Antonio Miles, was convicted of first-degree felony murder, robbery, and firearm charges in September 2023 and was subsequently sentenced to 48 years in prison.
