Gold Shop murder suspects receive life

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - Sentences are being handed down to two men convicted in a robbery at a Portsmouth store in 2010, resulting in the death of an employee.

Kevin Stevens, Jr. and Xavier Holley, both of Portsmouth, were convicted in July for their roles in a robbery and homicide at the Gold Shop in Portsmouth on Oct. 6, 2010. The victim was 51-year-old Robert Nelson.

Document: Criminal indictments

Tuesday, both Stevens and Holley were sentenced to life in prison plus 60 months for conspiracy to interfere with commerce by robbery, two counts of attempted robbery, one count of use of a firearm during a crime of violence and one count of use of a firearm during a crime of violence.

Nelson was watching the store for a friend when several suspects entered the building. One of them fired a gun, killing Nelson.

His wife told WAVY.com she has not been able to work since she got the news that her husband was shot to death inside the store, and while she's happy the judge decided on life in prison, she said the sentence is not going to help ease her pain.

"It's been just one day to the next," Becky Nelson said. "Hopefully in time, it will give us some closure. I know right now, everything is still raw and fresh."

Becky Nelson has attended every trial and sentencing.