Nitro man found guilty of August 2018 murder

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A Kanawha County jury on Thursday found a Nitro man guilty of first-degree murder in connection to an August 2018 shooting.

Juan Chic, 30, was convicted for murdering 27-year-old Andre Leonard. The jury did not recommend mercy, meaning Chic will not be eligible for parole in his likely life sentence.

The verdict came after a 3 1/2 day trial before Kanawha County Circuit Judge Joanna Tabit.

Leonard died on Aug. 15, 2018, on Elm Street in Institute. The jury determined Chic stepped out of a silver Chrysler 300 and shot Leonard.

The jury also found Chic guilty of use or presentment of a firearm during the commission of a felony and being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm.

A sentencing date has not been set. Chic will be at South Western Regional Jail in the meantime.