In a case that has gripped Virginia since 2020, significant developments have unfolded in the trial and sentencing proceedings related to the murder of 17-year-old Asia Cowell. The victim was tragically lured to her death under the pretense of a hair styling appointment, falling victim to a meticulously planned scheme aimed at preventing her testimony in a sexual assault case.
On September 7, 2020, Cowell was dropped off at an apartment in Norfolk, Virginia, believing she was there to style someone’s hair. Instead, she was subdued and kidnapped by a group of individuals who had orchestrated an elaborate plan to silence her.
The masterminds behind this chilling crime were Devin Albritton, 44, and his wife, Crystal Ashley Rudy Albritton, 34. They, along with Dazha Feaster, then 17, conspired to prevent Cowell from testifying against a man accused of attempting to assault her sexually. Feaster is the sister of the accused in the sexual assault case.
After overpowering Cowell at the apartment, the perpetrators forced her into a vehicle and drove her to a wooded area in Newport News, Virginia. There, Cowell pleaded for her life, promising not to testify in the upcoming trial. Despite her pleas, Crystal Albritton shot the teenager in the back of the head, ending her young life.
Newport News Circuit Court Judge Christopher Papile delivered a scathing assessment of the crime’s brutality during the legal proceedings. He emphasized that while the motive was clear, the act was senseless and represented the pinnacle of depravity. The judge stressed that Cowell’s death transcended mere murder, characterizing it as an execution, thereby highlighting the premeditated and cold-blooded nature of the crime.
In the aftermath of the murder, Devin Albritton played a role in disposing of crucial evidence, including Cowell’s cell phone and the murder weapon. In a disturbing display of callousness, he was preparing for a cookout just hours after participating in the teenager’s murder.
The legal system has since moved to hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions. Devin Albritton was sentenced on Friday, September 6, 2024, to 50 years in prison, with 11 years suspended, for his role in Cowell’s murder. His wife, Crystal Ashley Rudy Albritton, received a life sentence after pleading guilty to the same charge.
Dazha Feaster, who was the same age as Cowell at the time of the crime, is also facing charges related to the murder. The details of her case are still pending.
Tuwanna Simmons, Asia Cowell’s stepmother, reacted with intense frustration to the sentencing. Her words conveyed a deep sense of loss and anger, emphasizing that no punishment could undo the permanent absence of Asia from their lives.