Shockoe Bottom murder suspect on trial | News

By Gene Petriello - bio | email
Posted by Shawn Maclauchlan

RICHMOND, VA (WWBT) - Day two of a Richmond murder trial will begin Friday morning.

Kevin Cunningham is on trial for the April murder of Jeremy Uzzle in Shockoe Bottom.

The trial in just it's first day was so intense that at least one of the witnesses of Jeremy Uzzle's murder is under police protection because of serious threats.

After Friday's hearing, the jury will have to decide if Uzzle's death was in self defense, or revenge.

It's the first murder in Shockoe Bottom in years.

And it happened in this parking lot right next door to Have a Nice Day Café in April.

Jeremy Uzzle came up to Richmond from Petersburg with seven people to celebrate his friend's birthday at the night club.

Later that night - Uzzle was shot and killed.

The prosecutions final witness is expected to take the stand in day two.

Thursday, seven other witnesses testified, including one who said he told murder suspect Kevin Cunningham to leave town just hours after the deadly night.

The defense says Uzzle punched Cunningham in the face. Prosecutors say Cunningham then shot Uzzle in retaliation.

But the defense claims Cunningham acted in self defense after a mob charged in his direction.

Once the final prosecution witness finishes testimony, the defense will then begin it's own case.

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