Watson v. Commonwealth

OPINION BY JUSTICE WILLIAM C. MIMS

In this appeal, we consider whether a felon has standing to move to vacate the sentences of other felons as void ab initio.

I. BACKGROUND AND MATERIAL PROCEEDINGS BELOW

In 2007, Audrel Jack Watson, Jr. was convicted on Alford pleas to several offenses, including four counts of using a firearm in the commission of a felony, in violation of Code § 18.2-53.1. The circuit court sentenced him to a term of three years' imprisonment for each count, to be served consecutively.

Ten years later, Watson filed a motion to vacate as void 30 sentences imposed by the court…