The teen charged with killing a mother and son in Dale City in December will stand trial this week.
Xavier Jamaal Pinckney, 18, is charged with four counts of capital murder, two counts of first-degree murder, five counts of use or display of a firearm in the commission of a felony and one count each of robbery and statutory burglary for the Dec. 19 shooting deaths of Jean Smith, 39, and her son James, 19.
The trial is set to begin Monday in Prince William Circuit Court.
Pinckney waived his right to a jury trial and his case will be decided by Judge Mary Grace O’Brien.
Pinckney is accused of shooting the Smiths during a burglary at their Dale City home.
Police believe that Pinckney broke into the Smiths’ house and shot James Smith as he slept on a living room couch.
Later, when Jean Smith returned home and tried to call for help, Pinckney shot her, police say.
Police also believe Pinckney stole several items from the home on Langford Court in the Lindendale area.
A witness reported seeing someone who matched Pinckney’s description in the neighborhood around the time of the shooting, police said.
Pinckney is charged with capital murder but will not face the death penalty because he was a juvenile at the time of the crime.
If convicted of capital murder, he faces up to life in prison.
Staff writer Amanda Stewart can be reached at 703-878-8014.
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