LOUISA CO., Va. (WRIC) — Thomas P. Feaster, the Louisa County man who was arrested last fall for the murder of his girlfriend, was found guilty of first degree murder and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony on Friday.
A Louisa jury handed down the guilty verdict following a two-day trial on Friday and recommended a life sentence for the murder and three years for the firearm charge.
During the trial, evidence showed that on October 2, 2014, Feaster shot his girlfriend in the back of the head as she was walking away from him, according to a release from the Louisa Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office. The release states that after Feaster shot his girlfriend, he then walked up to her and, after she told him she loved him, shot her several more times.
Testimony by officers with Louisa County Sheriff’s Office and an expert from the Department of Forensic Science matched the firearm and shell casings found in the residence, as well as the bullets from the victim’s body, to the shooting.
“A loving daughter, sister, mother and friend was taken from the lives of her loved ones far too soon,” Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Joseph J. D’Onofrio said. “Obviously, this will not make up for the loss of Rhonda, but we are pleased that today in Louisa, justice was served.”
Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney Adam J. Ward, who prosecuted the case with D’Onofrio, added, “We hope the jury’s verdict sends a stern reminder that such horrible acts of violence will not be tolerated. This crime occurred during October, which is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
“However, stories such as the one in this case make it clear that domestic violence awareness is something that must be given attention every hour of every day. The Louisa County Commonwealth’s Attorney’s office takes all allegations of domestic violence very seriously.”
Feaster will be formally sentenced on August 24, 2015.
