VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — The case against one of the suspects arrested in connection to the murder of a high school student in Virginia Beach will be heard by a grand jury.
Jacob Alexander Meadows was arrested in December on several charges including second-degree murder. The charges stemmed from the shooting death of 17-year-old Christopher Ross, who played football at Ocean Lakes High School.
Three juveniles were also charged in connection to Ross’ death.
Jacob Meadows sat silently in court Monday morning for this preliminary hearing as his attorney told the judge Meadows killed in Ross in self defense.
James Broccoletti is representing Meadows, and says this is a drug deal turned robbery.
“I think the strongest argument is that the decedent had a weapon and he robbed them,” Broccoletti said.
A detective testified Meadows was at the home on Elson Green to sell Ross a quarter pound of marijuana. He went on to tell the court that Ross grabbed the drugs and lifted up his shirt to show he had a gun.
As he was leaving the home, Meadows followed. Defense attorneys say that Ross turned toward Meadows, and fearing he would be shot, Meadows fired eight times, killing Ross.
“The photograph that was introduced basically showed that gun within arms reach,” Broccoletti added. “I think the evidence is very strong as respective to self defense.”
Broccoletti also says Ross was shot in the face, neck and shoulder, proving he had turned towards Meadows.
Prosecutors say Meadows left the scene and threw the gun off a nearby bridge.
“He is a young man,” Broccoletti said. “He is afraid something happened. It was traumatic. What he does after the fact doesn’t at all change what he did in that house.”
The judge believed there was enough evidence to move to case to circuit court and there a jury can decide if it was self defense.
