Man appeals 10-year sentence in Chesterfield man's death
TL;DR: A Hanover County man is appealing his 10-year prison sentence for involuntary manslaughter in the October 2024 death of a Chesterfield County resident.
Quick facts
- Who: Nico Rivera (Hanover County) appeals conviction; victim Jacob Baldwin (27, Chesterfield County)
- What: Appeal of 10-year involuntary manslaughter sentence; attorneys arguing sentence is excessive
- When: Incident October 12, 2024; sentenced April 27, 2026; appeal ongoing July 2026
- Where: Scott's Addition, Richmond (incident); Chesterfield County connection (victim)
The story
Nico Rivera of Hanover County is appealing his 10-year prison sentence handed down April 27, 2026, for the October 2024 death of 27-year-old Jacob Baldwin of Chesterfield County. Rivera's attorneys argue the sentence is excessive.\n\nRivera pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in October 2025 after initially facing second-degree murder charges. According to prosecutors, Rivera threw a single punch at Baldwin in the early morning hours of October 12, 2024, near the intersection of West Marshall and North Sheppard streets in Richmond's Scott's Addition neighborhood. The blow knocked Baldwin to the ground, causing injuries that included multiple fractures. Baldwin was hospitalized but died days later from complications.\n\nThe sentencing judge imposed the maximum 10-year sentence plus three years of supervised probation, departing significantly from the six-month sentence recommended in Rivera's plea agreement. The court heard 96 victim impact statements from Baldwin's family and friends during sentencing. The appeal is now underway, with Rivera's legal team contending the sentence exceeds what is appropriate under Virginia law.
Key players
- Nico Rivera: Appellant; convicted of involuntary manslaughter
- Jacob Baldwin: Victim; 27-year-old Chesterfield County resident
Why it matters: The outcome of Rivera's appeal could reshape how Virginia courts balance victim impact testimony and judicial discretion in involuntary manslaughter cases involving a single act of violence. For Baldwin's family, the appeal represents a reopening of their trauma and extends the legal process years after their son's death.
Places
- Scott's Addition (Richmond)+Chesterfield+VA)
- West Marshall Street
- North Sheppard Street
Development timeline
- 2024-10-12Punch and death of Jacob Baldwin: Nico Rivera allegedly threw a punch at Jacob Baldwin near West Marshall and North Sheppard streets in Scott's Addition; Baldwin hospitalized and died days later from head and facial fractures [[source]](https://www.12onyourside.com/2026/04/27/man-sentenced-deadly-scotts-addition-fight/)
- 2025-10-20Guilty plea entered: Rivera pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter after initially facing second-degree murder charges [[source]](https://www.12onyourside.com/2025/10/20/man-accused-deadly-scotts-addition-fight-returns-court/)
- 2026-04-27Sentencing to 10 years: Judge imposed maximum 10-year sentence plus 3 years supervised probation, departing from 6-month recommendation in plea agreement; 96 victim impact statements heard [[source]](https://www.12onyourside.com/2026/04/27/man-sentenced-deadly-scotts-addition-fight/)
- 2026-07-14Appeal ongoing: Rivera's attorneys appealing the 10-year sentence as excessive [[source]](https://www.wric.com/news/local-news/richmond/nico-rivera-appeal-sentencing-jacob-baldwin/)
Related links
- Man sentenced for deadly Scott's Addition fight (12 On Your Side, April 27, 2026)
- Man sentenced to 10 years after killing another man in Scott's Addition fight (WTVR, April 27, 2026)
Read the original at WRIC 8News Local →
Sources
- Man sentenced for deadly Scott's Addition fight
- Man sentenced to 10 years after killing another man in Scott's Addition fight
- Man pleads guilty in connection with 2024 death of Jacob Baldwin in Richmond's Scott's Addition