Oakley found guilty of killing friend

Montel Oakley of Hurt was found guilty of first degree murder Monday after a Pittsylvania County jury deliberated for 45 minutes.

Oakley was convicted of killing his friend, Corey Andrew Moon, 44, of Troutville during an argument over music CDs on July 11, 2021. Oakley was also convicted of related weapons charges. He is scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 18.

The friends had been drinking, Oakley became angry and shot and killed Moon using an AK-47 rifle, according to Pittsylvania County Commonwealth's Attorney Bryan Haskins.

The crime occurred at around midnight at 2957 Pocket Road in Hurt.

Haskins said one shell casing and blood was found in the house, as well as outside. The victim was found by his car, about 30 yards away, he said, adding that Moon was shot five times — on both sides, in the chest, abdomen and back.

Haskins said the gun had a 30-round magazine.

When deputies first arrived, Oakley gave a story indicating the shooting was accidental. Upon hearing the evidence at trial, Oakley decided to testify and provided another story that he and Moon struggled outside, suggested the gun was fully automatic and that the shooting was also accidental, said Haskins.

Haskins said the lab provided evidence that the gun was semi-automatic and could not have fired off multiple rounds in the way that Oakley described. There was also the shell casing found in the house, he said.

During closing arguments, Oakley had two outbursts and had to be removed from the courtroom on both occasions, said Haskins.