Virginia Beach prosecutors reached a plea agreement with one of two men accused of staging a robbery that left a 65-year-old woman dead at a Harris Teeter gas pump in December 2021.
Michael Javonte White, 31, pleaded guilty to charges of first-degree murder, two counts of robbery causing death, and eight other felony weapons charges. He will be sentenced in September.
White and his brother, Darrius White, 24, approached the vehicle of Annie Smith and her husband, Steven, as they pulled up to the gas pumps at the Harris Teeter on Haygood Road, according to the prosecution’s evidence. Michael White pointed a gun at Steven Smith and demanded he give him everything the couple had, the documents say, and Smith handed over his wallet.
Michael White then gave the gun to Darrius White, who again asked the couple to give them everything, but the Smiths said they didn’t have anything else. That’s when Darrius White turned his focus to Annie Smith, who was still in the passenger seat, and shot her in the chest three times, the prosecution said. He then took a handgun that the couple carried in their car, according to court documents.
Michael White’s time in prison won’t be greater than 50 years, as part of the plea agreement.
Last month, a mistrial was declared in Darrius White’s case after police accidentally mentioned White is a convicted felon, according to a person who was in the courtroom. Such information is typically is not allowed at trial. No new trial date has been set.
Gavin Stone, 757-712-4806, gavin.stone@virginiamedia.com
