Man Sentenced to Life for Roanoke Murder

Anthony Francisco Jones, a 30-year-old man, was sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder and sexual assault of a 53-year-old woman in the Venice Canals neighborhood. Jones's attacks on April 6 included two counts of forcible rape and one count of murder, with one victim dying from her injuries. In another case, Kai Lansana was sentenced to life in prison plus eight years for the first-degree murder of 24-year-old Salonya Evans in Roanoke in 2019, with evidence linking him to the crime through digital data and surveillance footage. Judge David Carson emphasized Lansana's criminal history as a factor in the harsh sentencing. Both cases highlight the judicial system's response to violent crimes against women and the lasting impact on victims' families. The sentences reflect a commitment to justice for the victims and their communities.