Teens To Serve 27 Years For Killing High School Student - WRIC Richmond News and Weather -

Teens To Serve 27 Years For Killing High School Student

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Kevin M. Drayton, Jr. Kevin M. Drayton, Jr.
Xavia S. Highsmith Xavia S. Highsmith
Da'von T. Byars Da'von T. Byars
Brett Wells Brett Wells

HANOVER, VA—Three teenage men convicted of murdering a Hanover County teenager will serve nearly three decades behind bars.

Davon Byars, Xavia Highsmith and Kevin Drayton were all convicted of first-degree murder in the January 2012 shooting death of a 16-year-old boy, and will each serve 27 years in prison.

Brett Wells was shot to death in what police called a drug deal gone wrong.

Police say the three men set up a drug deal with the Wells, going to his home with the intent to buy over $1,300 worth of high-grade marijuana.

Court documents show Wells was taken into his bedroom by the three men and a struggle ensued, followed by a gunshot.

The prosecution claims the three men tried to steal the drugs from the victim, but a struggle broke out and the gun was fired.

The doctor who performed the autopsy said Wells was shot when the gun was placed directly against his body and that the bullet went through his heart.

The teens had faced up to life in prison.

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