Suspect charged with killing three University of Virginia football players enters guilty plea

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WWBT/Gray News) - The suspect in the 2022 killing of three University of Virginia football players pleaded guilty Wednesday.

Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. was scheduled to go on trial for the killing of Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr. and D’Sean Perry, who were shot and killed on a bus as they returned to grounds from a class field trip.

Jones pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges of three counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated malicious wounding and five counts of using a firearm during the commission of a felony.

Two other students, Mike Hollins and Marlee Morgan, were also injured in the shooting.

“Today was the day we came face to face with the person who murdered our son, our daughters’ brother, my granddaughter’s Uncle, a nephew, cousin, friend and teammate,” D’Sean Perry’s family said in a statement. “Our fight for justice seemed vague and invalid for 2 years. Interfered by dated laws and policies. Today, we sat eye to eye with the defendant. It is now in God’s hands. We ask the public to join us at the sentencing hearing so that we can send the message to the defendant and the judge on the impact of the actions the defendant took on November 13, 2022, and what each life meant!”

Jones was scheduled to go on trial in January 2025. He’ll be sentenced in February 2025.

Jones faces a maximum punishment of five life terms plus 23 years.

The attorney representing the families of Perry and survivor Hollins says his clients are hoping for the maximum sentencing.

“The almost finality of the criminal case is something that is very bittersweet for the families,” attorney Michael Haggard said. “Although there haven’t been total agreements, I believe the District Attorney said in open court today, the families obviously want the maximum charges and the maximum penalty.”

UVA said Wednesday that the school will release copies of an external review commissioned by Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares at the conclusion of the criminal proceedings after sentencing is final next year.

“Today’s proceedings represent another step in a lengthy and painful journey for the families of the victims and for our community,” UVA President Jim Ryan said. “We continue to grieve the loss of three beloved members of our community and the injuries suffered by others on the bus.”

Earlier this year, UVA reached a $9 million settlement with the families of the victims killed.