It’s good to see a Southampton County jury to convict a Franklin man in the October 2010 shooting death of Darrin Lee at Southampton Meadows Trailer Park.

Although Shahon Cumbo’s attorney tried to minimize Cumbo’s role in the murder, the jury did not see it that way and convicted Cumbo of first-degree murder, kidnapping and gun violations.

Jurors also recommended the 23-year-old serve 36 years in prison, which will make him almost 60 by the time he is released. That’s a long time to sit and reflect on taking someone’s life.

Cumbo is the third to either enter a plea or be convicted of kidnapping the 28-year-old in an attempt to rob him. Ernest Jones, 23, of Portsmouth and Bruce Boone, 19, of Suffolk pleaded guilty to reduced charges of second-degree murder.

Others facing trials are Rasheed Brown, 22, of Franklin; Darrin Robinson, 22, of Suffolk; and Quadrick Ashburn, 21, of Courtland.

We commend the Sheriff’s Office for its thorough investigation and Commonwealth’s Attorney Eric Cooke for his diligence in making sure Darrin Lee and his family get justice.