RICHMOND, Va. – Kassceen Weaver, a former University of Richmond basketball player, was sentenced to 20 years in prison by a state circuit court judge for the tragic death of his 3-year-old son, Eliel Adon Weaver.
The conviction, based on evidence outlined in court records, included charges of felony murder, felony child neglect, and concealing a dead body. These charges stem from an incident on October 23, 2018, when Eliel tragically lost his life, eventually leading to the discovery of his remains in 2021.
Weaver received a 20-year sentence for murder, 10 years for child neglect, and five years for hiding the body, to be served concurrently. The situation became complicated when Weaver’s wife, Dina Weaver, initially faced charges related to the incident but had them dropped due to claims of physical and emotional harm by Weaver.
The shocking details of the case unfolded as authorities discovered Eliel’s body in a freezer in the family’s garage. The investigation revealed a history of domestic violence, adding a distressing layer to the already grim circumstances.
Throughout the trial, Weaver’s defense team argued that the specific medical emergency faced by Eliel was unknown, making it uncertain whether calling 911 would have made a difference. They also pointed out that Weaver had attempted CPR, similar to his wife’s efforts to revive their child a week earlier.
Weaver did not speak during the trial, as he still faces an aggravated malicious wounding charge related to his ex-wife. The case is scheduled for trial in March 2024. The chilling details of this tragedy serve as a reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and child neglect.
In summary, Kassceen Weaver’s sentencing for the death of his son, Eliel Adon Weaver, has brought the details of this tragic case to light. The discovery of Eliel’s body in a freezer in the family’s garage and the history of domestic violence within the family have added disturbing layers to this heartbreaking situation. Weaver’s upcoming trial on an aggravated malicious wounding charge underscores the ongoing legal consequences he faces.