"Total lack of cooperation" leads to manslaughter plea in Downtown killing

"This case highlights the difficulty of successfully investigating and prosecuting crimes of violence without community cooperation."

A memorial on Market Street at the site of Daniel O’Brien Hall's murder in October 2023.

Last October 14, Daniel O’Brien Hall, 48, was shot downtown in front of the Soul Food Joint at around 3 am. He later later died at the hospital. In May, Charlottesville Commonwealth’s Attorney Joe Platania suddenly downgraded the killer’s charge to manslaughter.

At first, there was speculation that it had something to do with the homeless encampment in nearby Market Street Park, but not only did police confirm the shooting had nothing to do with the situation in the park, some camping in the park came forward as witnesses. It appeared an argument between two men, which could be heard from the park, proceeded the shooting. CPD said there were “numerous witnesses within feet of the incident" and they asked people to come forward. About 10 days later, Reginald Eugene Lindsay Jr., 48, was arrested and charged with Hall's murder.