By Jen McCaffery
The Virginian-Pilot
NORFOLK, Va. — A judge on Tuesday cut jailhouse informant Timothy Gurley’s active sentence to less than half in part because he helped prosecutors in several cases over the past four years.
Gurley shot at his estranged wife and her companion at a crowded restaurant in 2004. Circuit Judge A. Bonwill Shockley cut Gurley’s active sentence from 25 years to 12 years.
Gurley, 33, helped authorities in the prescription drug trafficking case of Dr. Sidney Loxley; the double-murder trial of Eddie Makdessi; and most recently, the prosecution of former Navy Lt. Michael Lee Everage, who was convicted of bludgeoning his wife to death.
Norfolk police have questioned his reliability, however, according to court documents reported by The Pilot. Defense attorneys have also raised questions about the use of jailhouse informants.
Gurley’s shooting victims had asked that Gurley’s sentence not be reduced.
Prosecutor Scott Vachris asked Shockley to take into consideration Gurley’s assistance but also mentioned that the victims did not want Gurley’s sentence reduced. He didn’t make any specific recommendation about reducing the sentence.
Shockley said she thought Gurley had changed from the “angry, angry man” she sentenced in 2006 for opening fire in a crowded restaurant.
She said she thought Gurley didn’t understand the magnitude of what he had done at the time and said she “went way over” sentencing guidelines in imposing a penalty.
Shockley noted that prosecutors said several cases would not have gone forward without Gurley’s cooperation.
“You do seem sincere about really wanting to help get some of these people off the street,” Shockley said.
Vachris said that in the Everage case, Gurley provided authorities information including physical evidence such as money orders and letters from Everage.
Everage was convicted in 200 8 of his wife’s slaying and sentenced to 25 years.
“The irony is that sometimes the commonwealth needs people like Timothy Gurley to make sure justice is served in cases like Mr. Everage’s,” Vachris said.
Norfolk prosecutor Paula Bruns said Gurley also provided information in a rape case that went to trial in 2007, but which didn’t result in a conviction.
Gurley took the stand Tuesday and asked Richard Hill, the man he shot twice in the restaurant, for his forgiveness.
“I never meant to hurt you,” Gurley said.
His wife didn’t attend the hearing but had sent an e-mail to Vachris informing him she did not support a reduction in Gurley’s sentence.
Gurley also talked about the repercussions he’s experienced as a jailhouse informant.
He said he’s housed in a windowless 7-by-14-foot cell in Chesapeake City Jail and receives daily threats.
“Why are you in solitary confinement?” his attorney, Barry McCracken, asked.
“It’s the only place they have to put you,” Gurley said.
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