NORFOLK, VA – A Norfolk woman and her husband are set to spend years behind bars after being convicted of killing a disabled man they once welcomed into their home. Court records show the couple brutally assaulted and ultimately strangled the man when he refused to give them his disability payments.
Kristie Marie Lynch, 45, was found guilty of first-degree murder last week for her role in the killing of 45-year-old Jose Moreno. Her husband, James Christian Lynch, previously pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a 25-year prison sentence earlier this year.
Authorities said the couple first encountered Moreno at their local church in 2022. Knowing that Moreno had nowhere else to turn, they offered him a place to stay in their shared apartment. Moreno, who required a walker due to physical disability, was expected to contribute financially to the household, with the Lynches insisting on receiving his disability checks.
According to evidence presented during the trial, the couple’s hospitality quickly gave way to violence. When Moreno failed to meet their monetary demands, prosecutors said the Lynches punished him, often resorting to physical attacks. James Lynch admitted to police that they beat Moreno for not paying his share, neglecting chores, or simply speaking Spanish in the home.
In the days preceding his death, the abuse escalated. James Lynch assaulted Moreno with a frying pan, inflicting significant head injuries. Prosecutors said that rather than seeking medical attention, the Lynches continued their abuse, striking him with a baseball bat and choking him with both a belt and a dog leash. Authorities believe Moreno died on August 9, 2023.
Two days elapsed before the Lynches contacted emergency services—a delay that came only after confiding in a church pastor who advised them to call 911. Responding officers found Moreno dead inside the apartment, his body showing extensive bruising, cuts, and clear signs of strangulation. The medical examiner concluded that Moreno died from a combination of strangulation and blunt force trauma.
During questioning, Kristie Lynch told investigators that Moreno had assaulted her the day he was killed, prompting her to urge her husband to retaliate. James Lynch described a violent confrontation, claiming Moreno exhibited superhuman strength, though prosecutors pointed out the significant physical disparity between the victim and his attackers.
Following evidence presented to a grand jury, charges against both Kristie and James Lynch were elevated from second- to first-degree murder. Ultimately, the evidence led to Kristie Lynch’s conviction last week.
Friends and church members mourned Moreno’s death on social media, recalling his kindness and cheerful demeanor. Many expressed outrage and disbelief at the circumstances of his killing, insisting that he brought positivity to those around him.
Kristie Lynch is set to be sentenced on January 16, 2026.