A grand jury in Wise County charged 36-year-old Julian Leon Mitchell with aggravated murder for the death of his cell mate.
On August 23, 2023, corrections staff found Jowell Legendre unresponsive in his cell at Red Onion State Prison, VADOC stated. The staff performed life-saving measures and Legendre was transported to Dickenson Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Mitchell shared the cell with Jowell, and according to VADOC, he told security staff Legendre fell from the top bunk.
After an investigation, VADOC presented the evidence to Wise County Commonwealth’s Attorney, and an indictment was filed last week, on May 15, VADOC reported.
Mitchell’s criminal history includes 2012 convictions for using a firearm in commission of a felony and aggravated malicious wounding, a charge that earned him a 25-year sentence, court records show.
The 2012 charges were prosecuted in Newport News, and that was listed as Mitchell’s city of residence at the time.
The aggravated murder charge Mitchell now faces carries a punishment of life in prison.
“The safety and security of our corrections team, inmates, and supervisees is this department’s top priority,” said VADOC Director Chad Dotson. “The Virginia Department of Corrections will pursue prosecution to the fullest extent of the law for anyone who threatens that safety and security.
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