A Portsmouth Circuit Court jury on Thursday found a man guilty of killing twin brothers in an armed robbery more than two years ago.

Joseph Alfonzo Cross, 33, was convicted of two counts of first-degree murder in the slayings of Alvin K. Joyner and Calvin R. Joyner, 51, during a robbery Feb. 5, 2023, according to the Portsmouth commonwealth’s attorney’s office.

The jurors also convicted Cross of “aggravated murder,” which carries a mandatory life prison sentence. That charge is expected to replace the first-degree murder counts at sentencing, the commonwealth’s attorney’s office said.

The jury also found Cross guilty of aggravated malicious wounding in the shooting of a woman who survived by playing dead. He was also convicted of robbery, carjacking and several gun counts.

According to the prosecutor’s office, Alvin Joyner was at the wheel of his Dodge Durango early that morning, with Calvin Joyner in the passenger seat and a 61-year-old female friend in the back.

They stopped near Deep Creek Boulevard to pick up Cross and another woman, both of whom got into the back seat. The Joyners knew Cross before that night. When the Durango reached the 1800 block of Nashville Avenue about 3:30 a.m., Cross suddenly pulled out a gun and shot Alvin Joyner to death, the prosecutor’s office wrote.

He then pointed the firearm at Calvin Joyner and the first woman, demanding they hand over cash, before shooting them as well.

Cross and the second woman pulled the three victims from the Durango and “rummaged through their pockets,” prosecutors wrote in the release. Then the two got into the SUV, drove it to Clifford Street and set it on fire.

Cross, being held at the Portsmouth City Jail, is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 9.

Under Virginia law, the “premeditated killing of more than one person as a part of the same act” is one of 15 crimes that qualify for heightened punishment. Aside from the mandatory life term for aggravated murder, Cross faces the potential for two additional life terms plus 40 years.

Cross’ attorney, Nathan Chapman, could not be reached for comment Friday afternoon.

“This case reflects both the cruelty of the defendant’s actions and the strength of a survivor who bravely came forward to tell her story,” Portsmouth Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Morales said in a statement.

“While no verdict can undo the pain felt by the families of the victims and our community, this conviction ensures that the defendant will be held accountable for these senseless acts of violence.”

Peter Dujardin, 757-897-2062, pdujardin@dailypress.com

https://www.dailypress.com/2025/09/26/portsmouth-twin-brothers-slaying-conviction/