News Summary
James King, a violent offender, has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Lexie Walters in Virginia Beach. King’s criminal history raises concerns about potential parole eligibility in the future, sparking outrage among Walters’ family. Advocates are pushing for ‘Lexie’s Law’ to prevent geriatric violent offenders from being considered for parole. The case highlights issues in the justice system regarding the release of repeat offenders and their impact on victims’ families.
Virginia Beach – James King, a man with a history of violent crime, has been sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Lexie Walters, a 34-year-old woman he met at a bar. King’s previous conviction for murdering a bride’s mother in Ohio during the late 1980s raises serious concerns about his potential eligibility for parole in the near future. Under Virginia law, King, who may be classified as a geriatric prisoner, could be considered for release as early as September 2025, just five years after Walters’ murder.
In 1986, King murdered the mother of the bride following a wedding in Ohio and subsequently served 20 years in prison for the crime. After his release, he relocated to Virginia Beach. However, his criminal behavior persisted; in 2018, he was arrested for violently assaulting a woman but only received a 12-month sentence for assault and battery. Less than two years after that, King brutally raped and murdered Walters at a Days Inn hotel in Virginia Beach, displaying significant similarities to his prior crime.
The circumstances surrounding Walters’ death are alarming. On the night she was killed, King and Walters were heavily drinking together, consuming significant amounts of alcohol. King was observed on surveillance footage inviting Walters into his hotel room, but there is no evidence of Walters leaving. Notably, King was the one who reported the murder to the police, stating he had done a “murder gig” in Ohio. When officers arrived, they discovered Walters’ body, which bore signs of asphyxiation and blunt force trauma, consistent with violent assault.
King’s conviction for Walters’ murder led to two life sentences for charges of first-degree murder and object sexual penetration. However, his eligibility for parole in 2025 has sparked outrage, especially among Walters’ family and advocates. Under Virginia law, inmates over the age of 65 who have served five years of their sentence can petition for release. This provision has raised concerns about the possibility of violent offenders being released back into society.
Following the conviction, King’s potential release has prompted voices in the community to take action. Walters’ sister, Marie Jones, has been vocal about her opposition to King’s possible parole, citing the emotional toll of having to revisit the details of her sister’s murder during parole hearings. In response to her apprehensions, she is advocating for “Lexie’s Law,” aimed at preventing geriatric offenders of violent crime from being considered for parole.
The case has garnered significant public attention, and many are questioning the adequacy of the laws surrounding parole for violent offenders. Marie Jones expressed her deep concerns regarding the implications of King’s potential release, emphasizing the emotional impacts on families of victims. This case reflects broader issues in the justice system about how it handles repeat offenders and potentially dangerous individuals re-entering society.
James King’s upcoming parole hearing in September 2025 will undoubtedly attract both media scrutiny and public interest, as family, advocates, and concerned citizens rally against the possibility of another violent criminal walking free. The tragic circumstances of Lexie Walters’ death continue to prompt discussions about the effectiveness of current parole laws in protecting the community from convicted violent offenders.
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Additional Resources
- WTKR: True Crime 757 – James King Served 20 Years for a Brutal Murder, Then He Killed Again
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Criminal Justice
- 13 News Now: Virginia Beach Man Who Served 2 Decades for Ohio Murder Sentenced in Local Woman’s Killing
- Google Search: Parole Laws in Virginia
- Pilot Online: Just Months After Being Sentenced, Virginia Beach Murderer Already Eligible for Parole
Author: STAFF HERE VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg
