Layne was sentenced to life in prison for capital murder and robbery back in 1988.
MURDER USA Portsmouth Detectives seek clues on homicide of Stevie Wright
PORTSMOUTH, VA. Victim shot to death. No suspects. No motive. Just another day in the Portsmouth area where life is cheap.
Detectives with the Portsmouth Police Department Major Crimes Unit are continuing their investigation into an overnight shooting that took the life a man. This morning at approximately 3:30 a.m., police communications received a 911 call requesting police and medical assistance to the intersection of Greenwood Drive and Viking Street for a man who appeared to be shot. Officers responding to the area located an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper torso in the 3900 block of Greenwood Drive. Medics
arrived and pronounced the male deceased at the scene. The victim has been identified as 37-year-old Stevie W. Wright of Portsmouth.
If a caller’s tip leads to an arrest, the recovery of drugs or stolen property, they could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000.
At this time, detectives do not have a suspect or motive in this case. They are asking anyone who may have information about this homicide to call the Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP℠ (1-888-562-5887). As always, callers are never asked to give their name or required to testify in court. If a caller’s tip leads to an arrest, the recovery of drugs or stolen property, they could be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1000.
Convicted Murdered Charged with Murder in Portsmouth
PORTSMOUTH, VA. — Portsmouth Police report that Detectives with the Portsmouth Police Department Major Crimes Unit are continuing their investigation into an overnight shooting on June 4, 2017, that took the life of another. At approximately 12:21 a.m., police communications received a call requesting police assistance in reference to a domestic dispute in the 10 block of Chippewa Trail. As officers were enroute, police communications received a separate call indicating that arguing, followed by a gun shot was just heard in the 20 block of Chippewa Trail. When officers arrived, they found an elderly male victim lying on the ground with a fatal injury to his head. Medics arrived and pronounced the male deceased at the scene. The victim has been identified as 70-year-old John Nunamaker of Portsmouth.
Layne was sentenced to life in prison for capital murder and robbery back in 1988.
As a result of their initial investigation into this shooting incident, detectives have classified Mr. Nunamaker’s death as a homicide. Detectives have arrested 58-year-old Franklin W. Layne of Portsmouth and charged him with Second Degree Murder in connection with the shooting death of John Nunamaker. Layne is currently in the custody of the Portsmouth Sheriff’s Office. At this time, no further information will be released about this case.
WAVY REPORTS: 10 On Your Side dug into Layne’s past and discovered he wasn’t allowed to carry a gun because he is a convicted murderer. Court records show Layne was sentenced to life in prison for capital murder and robbery back in 1988. He was behind bars for more than 25 years.
- Layne was sentenced to life in prison for capital murder and robbery back in 1988.
