Convicted killer accused in Waynesboro stabbing gets $25,000 bond

WAYNESBORO — Cleavon O. Wilson was just 15 years old when he gunned down a man on Stafford Street in Staunton in 1990.

Charged as an adult, he was sentenced to 40 years in prison for murder, and also was given a five-year term for cocaine distribution out of Waynesboro, where he lived at the time after moving to the area from Brooklyn, New York.

Wilson was released from prison in 2018 after spending 28 years behind bars. But six years later, trouble managed to find him again, this time in Waynesboro.

On March 29, Wilson, now 49, was accused of repeatedly stabbing 41-year-old Jonathan Barber and cutting 33-year-old Whitney Briggs. The incident took place at Briggs' residence in the 1000 block of Bridge Avenue in Waynesboro.

Barber was stabbed 15 times and part of his right ear was cut off. He was taken to UVA Health in Charlottesville with life-threatening injuries. Briggs was sliced in the arm during the melee.

Last week in Waynesboro General District Court, a judge issued a $10,000 bond for Wilson, but Waynesboro Deputy Commonwealth's Attorney Will Flory filed an appeal, which kept him behind bars at Middle River Regional Jail.

Following the appeal hearing Wednesday in Waynesboro Circuit Court, Judge Paul Dryer gave Wilson a $25,000 bond.

Convicted killer makes strides after release from prison

In court Wednesday, defense attorney Jonathan Simms said following his client's release from prison six years ago, he sought to better his life by going to trade school for four years and becoming an electrician, including 8,000 hours as an apprentice.

According to Simms, Wilson, who now resides in Hampton, also received multiple certifications and was in Charlottesville last month for a solar panel school. Simms said he was in a celebratory mood the day he graduated on March 29, the same day as the stabbing.

In the week leading up to the incident, Simms said Wilson was conversing with Briggs, described as a family friend, who invited him over for dinner to celebrate. Simms said Wilson previously also saw a video reportedly showing Barber kicking in Briggs' front door and allegedly assaulting her.

"Mr. Barber is a violent person who is very jealous," Simms said in court.

Waynesboro Juvenile & Domestic Court records show Barber was charged in November with domestic assault and battery. The charge is listed as being under a deferred disposition until December, meaning it could be dismissed if Barber stays trouble-free.

Shortly after 11 p.m. on the night of the incident, Barber rang Briggs' doorbell and then began loudly knocking, based on a video that was played in court but could not be seen from the gallery.

"Mr. Wilson is clearly on alert," Simms said prior to the video.

Briggs went to the door and spoke with Barber, and Wilson also approached the front door while deploying a knife. Evidence showed Wilson pulled the door open and swung the knife toward Barber as the two fell out of view of the camera installed by Briggs. Simms said the two men tumbled off a porch.

"This happened in an instant," said Simms, who argued it wasn't a coordinated attack.

Wilson stayed at the scene and was one of several people to call 911.

Flory said Barber's right ear was severed "in two pieces," and said he suffered a large cut to his face as well as being repeatedly stabbed in the back. During the hearing, Flory argued Wilson has a "propensity for violence."

Simms countered by stating Wilson pulled the knife "based on everything he's known and seen about Mr. Barber." Simms noted Wilson called 911 and waited for police.

"It doesn't typically work like that," he said of violent confrontations.

After hearing arguments from both sides, Judge Dryer issued a $25,000 bond and ordered that Wilson have no contact with Barber or Briggs while awaiting trial.

Charged with aggravated malicious wounding and unlawful wounding, Wilson is scheduled for a preliminary hearing in general district court on April 30.

As of Thursday morning, Wilson had not posted bond and remained jailed.

Brad Zinn is the cops, courts and breaking news reporter at The News Leader. Have a news tip? Or something that needs investigating? You can email reporter Brad Zinn (he/him) at bzinn@newsleader.com. You can also follow him on X (formerly Twitter).

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Convicted killer accused in Waynesboro stabbing gets $25,000 bond