Trio charged in Wells’ death face April 27 hearing By Jim Fields jfields@mechlocal.com Handcuffed and shackled together around the waists and ankles, the three young men charged with firstdegree murder in the shooting death of 16-yearold Brett HIGHSMITH A. Wells learned on Friday that they will return on April 27 for a preliminary hearing. Wearing Pamunkey Regional Jail jumpsuits, Xavia S. Highsmith, 18, of the 2000 block of N. 28th Street in Richmond; Da’von T. Byars, 19, of the 1400 block of Mechanicsville Turnpike, Richmond; and Kevin M. Drayton Jr., 18, of the 8300 block of Rollins Lane in Mechanicsville; also have been charged with malicious wounding and the use of firearm in the commission of a felony. Wells was shot on Jan. 21 at a residence in the 7300 block of Verdi Lane in Mechanicsville. Court documents identify Highsmith as the shooter in
what an investigation by the Hanover County Sheriff ’s Office called a prior arrangement made to buy marijuana from Wells. “However,� Sgt. Chris R. Whitley said, “the intention of the susp e c ts was never to purBYARS chase the marijuana. Rather, they intended to steal it. As a result, a physical altercation ensued during the transaction, which led to Wells being shot once in the chest.� As the three fled the scene, another shot was fired, striking another male. He was treated for a non-life-threatening injury at VCU Medical Center. With their attorneys by them, Highsmith, Byars and Drayton appeared before Judge P.L. Trible on Friday in Hanover General District Court. They looked around the gallery as they entered the courtroom before turning to face the judge. Afterwards, outside the courtroom, Brett’s mother
Shannon was surrounded by family and friends. “It was hard, very hard to come here today,� she said. “It was real hard to watch them come into court and look like nothing had happened.� Wells DRAYTON also said she would attend future proceedings. She
was wearing a T-shirt that had Brett’s photo on the front and a poem he wrote on the back. A prayer vigil for the five homicides that recently occurred in Hanover County was scheduled for the following day at Pole Green Park. Brett’s mom said they would be available for $10 each, with all of the donations going to the families of those violent crime victims. When asked if he would seek to have client Highsmith tried separately, attorney William J. Viverette said, “I don’t know at this point. I’ll have to evaluate the evidence after the preliminary
hearing before we make any deci- Luxton, respectively. sions about how to proceed.� Wells was a student at Atlee Byars and Drayton are High School. Editor Melody Kinser conbeing represented by attorneys Linwood Wells and John tributed to this article.
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The Mechanicsville Local
February 15, 2012
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