Jury convicts Newport News man for possessing cocaine in New Kent

A Newport News man whose erratic behavior led to his arrest has been convicted by a jury on possession of a Schedule I/II drug.

Christopher Delyle Howard, 46, of 51 Poplar Avenue, was convicted of the crime during the July 18 trial. One charge of driving under the influence (second of subsequent offense) was dropped.

On May 5, 2023, a call into New Kent Sheriff’s Office alerted authorities about an individual dancing in the middle of the road on Route 30 in New Kent. Deputy Schuyler Sibley responded to the call for service, finding the vehicle in question. Sibley exited his vehicle and caught up with the induvial who was walking down the road. Even though it was 44 degrees, Sibley testified that the person, later identified as Howard, was sweating and shaking.

Sibley was afraid for the defendant’s safety, handcuffing him without force and detaining him for questioning. Howard did not speak during the encounter, with state police coming in to assist the investigation. Virginia State Police located a vehicle that had struck a power line with the engine running. The state police discovered that the black Lincoln vehicle had license plates that were registered to a silver 2000 Mercedes. An investigation of the vehicle discovered two lighters, a freshly burned spoon, and a bag with a white substance inside of it. That substance was later identified as cocaine through tests conducted at the forensics lab.

Defense attorney Martin Mooradian questioned if anyone saw Howard with the drugs on his person, with the answer returning as no. However, one of the troopers said that the powdery substance was on the driver’s floorboard. Mooradian said that the substance could have been baby powder, emphasizing that it was never tested.

New Kent Deputy Allison Adkins testified that after transferring the defendant to Henrico Jail East, personnel at the facility had to drag Howard because he could not walk at the time. She also said that Howard denied medical assistance.

Mooradian continued his cross-examination, asking officers if they had any training in epilepsy or if they had any training that dealt with identifying the signs of a concussion. While the officers responded no, there wasn’t any evidence presented by Mooradian to show that his client had any of suffered from any of those conditions.

Howard elected not to take the stand on his defense, leaving the decision in the hands of the 12 jurors. After closing arguments, the jury recessed and returned a verdict of guilty in approximately an hour.

Howard will remain on bond until his sentencing, which is scheduled for Sept. 23. The defendant may be eligible for the First Offender’s Program.