RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) - The man convicted in a Christmas Eve double murder in Church Hill will spend 82 years in prison.
Jamal Clemons was sentenced Wednesday to two consecutive 41-year sentences for the shooting deaths of 60-year-old Edward Lee Bowmer Jr. and 56-year-old Robin Sheryl Clapp. The pair were found shot dead inside Bowmer’s home in the 800 block of North 35th Street during a robbery on Dec. 24, 2011.
Clemons also stole a car with a child sitting in the backseat. Clemons later abandoned the car in a cemetery and the child was found unharmed. Clemons was caught and on Dec. 26 admitted to investigators he pulled the trigger.
Clemons’ mother, Robin Mines was convicted of first degree murder this summer for helping her son commit the crimes. She will be sentenced this fall.
Clemons' attorney had asked for a lesser sentence, because she said he had lived a rough life.
Prosecutors called the sister of Edward Bowmer and mother of Robin Clapp to the stand during the sentencing. Family members painted a sad picture of living life without their loved ones. Bowmer’s mother Addie Asbury said her son didn’t deserve to be executed in his own home like an animal.
Clapp’s mother, Shirley Patterson, said her daughter was a kind hearted person and would share her last two dollars with someone in need.
The mother of Eddie Bowmer’s children, Gail Otey, said the 80 plus year sentence was too light. “I wish he got more. He is a demon man,” Otey says.
Clemons’ family shed a few tears when the sentence was read. They didn’t want to speak to the media following the sentencing. Clemons’ defense attorney, Jacqueline Ford, said her client grew up in a tough home and doesn’t deserve to die in prison.
Clemons did address the court and said he was remorseful and sorry for his actions.
Judge Jenkins sentenced Clemons to two 41 year sentences to be served consecutively. Clemons has three children and will turn 28 in November.
