A 34-year-old Hayes resident was sentenced to three years in the penitentiary last week for involuntary manslaughter. 

Chad Brian Sayers was charged in connection with the shooting death of his 58-year-old mother, Cheryl Barnes Sayers, last year at the Hayes home the two shared. 

On Sept. 22, 2017, Gloucester Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the report of a gunshot victim at the Sayers’ residence in the 7000 block of Chapman Drive. They found Cheryl Sayers had been shot at the home and she died shortly afterward at a local hospital.   

GSO Chief Investigator Jamie Sharp said Sayers had been adjusting a handgun in his waistband when the gun discharged inside the house. The bullet fatally struck Cheryl Sayers, who was also inside of the house.

“It was clearly an accident,” Sharp said. “There was nothing to make us believe it was intentional.”

Sayers pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter on April 3 and his sentencing was held July 24. Gloucester Commonwealth’s Attorney Holly Smith sought to have Sayers serve his sentence at a state corrections facility, rather than a local jail, due to the resources it could provide him with upon release. Local jails serve inmates who have incarceration terms of 12 months or less.

Smith said Cheryl Sayers spent her time and money in support of Chad. She said Chad Sayers had a history of mental health issues and did not have a plan for after his release. “He has nowhere to go,” Smith said. “At some point he is going to be released. He has no plan, no caretaker.”

Smith said Chad Sayers caused the death of someone who oversaw his medications and doctors’ appointments. The only way for him to get a plan, she said, was through his release from a DOC facility. She said state facilities have more resources to assist with his re-entry into society. 

Sayers’ attorney, Julie Churchill, argued that Sayers knew what was happening and what he needed to do in the future. “This was a horrific accident,” Churchill said, adding that Chad Sayers called dispatch after the shooting, was cooperative with police and pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter.

“He knows where he needs to go; he knows he needs to continue his therapy and medications. He knows he needs to be in contact with social services and social security. He knows what happened that day and how it has impacted his family.”

Gloucester Circuit Court Judge Jeffrey W. Shaw asked Sayers if he had anything to say prior to pronouncing his sentence. “Just that I’m sorry, that’s all,” Sayers replied. 

Shaw sentenced Sayers to three years in the penitentiary with credit for time he has served since his arrest.