Judge Acquitted Virginia Beach Man in Cafe Death
A judge ruled John Round III acted in self-defense during a fatal 2025 restraint at the Coastal Cafe.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Accidents
Judge Scott Flax found John Round III not guilty of manslaughter in the death of 51-year-old Jamie Bills. The ruling follows a trial centered on a March 2025 incident at the Coastal Cafe, where the victim died after being restrained on the floor.
Why it matters
The case highlights the legal complexities surrounding citizen intervention and the use of physical force. The judge determined the defendant's actions were justified as self-defense despite the victim's death by asphyxiation during the seven-minute restraint.
John Round III was acquitted on September 25, 2026, after being charged with manslaughter on July 7, 2025. Sridharan Sangaran remains charged with malicious wounding and assault, with a trial scheduled for November 2026.
The players
John Round III
He is a 61-year-old businessman who had operated a business for 30 years prior to the incident.
Scott Flax
He is the presiding judge in Virginia Beach who ruled the defendant acted in self-defense.
Jamie Bills
The 51-year-old victim died of asphyxiation following a physical altercation at the local establishment.
Sridharan Sangaran
He is a 56-year-old individual currently facing charges of malicious wounding, attempted malicious wounding, and assault.
Mitchell Culp
He was an associate involved in the restraint who died by suicide days after the incident.
The details
During the March 2025 altercation, the defendant held the victim down by sitting on his pelvis and legs while an associate restrained his chest and shoulders. Jamie Bills, who had an existing heart condition and tested positive for cocaine post-mortem, died after being kept in a face-down position for seven minutes.
Timeline
March 1, 2025: Physical altercation occurred at the Coastal Cafe.
July 7, 2025: John Round III was charged with manslaughter.
September 24, 2026: The trial for John Round III began in Virginia Beach.
September 25, 2026: Judge Scott Flax acquitted the defendant of all charges.
November 2026: Trial is scheduled for Sridharan Sangaran.
Legal Context
This case reflects the ongoing judicial debate in Virginia regarding the limits of force used during citizen-led restraint. Courts continue to navigate the threshold between protective intervention and criminal conduct when assessing self-defense claims in fatal encounters.
The acquittal marks the end of a high-profile case that drew significant attention to the safety of nightlife venues in Kempsville. The permanent closure of the Coastal Cafe remains a lasting impact of the incident on the local community.
The takeaway
Self-defense claims are heavily scrutinized when physical restraints lead to fatalities. Residents should be aware that judicial interpretation of reasonable force can vary significantly depending on the specific circumstances of an altercation.
What happens next
The trial for Sridharan Sangaran regarding charges of malicious wounding, attempted malicious wounding, and assault and battery is scheduled for November 2026.
Further reading
For more on legal proceedings in the area, visit the Accidents section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Virginian-Pilot.
