Richmond man who cut 55-year-old with machete sentenced to 11 years in prison

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- A Richmond man who left another man permanently disabled after attacking him with a machete and shooting him was sentenced to 11 years in prison on Friday, Sept. 26.

32-year-old Brandon Paige was found guilty of aggravated malicious wounding, use of a firearm and felony stabbing in May. Paige’s victim, Linwood Eddleton Jr., was 55 at the time.

"I think about it all the time," Eddleton said in court. "It's hard to put into detail what I go through."

Court documents say Eddleton was visiting a relative who goes by Tyrone. Tyrone is Paige's stepfather. Eddelton was sitting in the backyard when he was attacked in what the judge called an "unprovoked...brutal attack."

Paige reportedly felt disrespected by Eddleton and attacked him to send him a message. 

Eddleton was deeply cut in the head, arm and back, and was shot in the right arm causing permanent damage. Paige then went back inside the home, leaving Eddleton outside where police found him slumped against a fence.   

Paige attacked and shot Eddleton in August 2024 on Tate Street. He said he’s gotten three surgeries since, the most recent being one month ago, and still needs another operation on his tendons. He said he has no feeling or movement in his right hand and can't bend his fingers on his own, and sometimes can’t even hold a fork.  

He got 12 stitches in his left arm from the machete and can't hold his hand flat.

Eddleton said his injuries have made it harder for him to care for his aging mother. A letter from his mother was presented to the judge but not read aloud.

A neighbor, friend and family member of Paige testified the behavior was out of character for him and that he was known for being quiet and keeping to himself.

When interviewed by police, Paige said, "quiet people are some of the most dangerous."

Kia Meredith, a family member, said in court that Paige could live with her when released and that he was always respectful and had never been in trouble. Paige has no previous criminal record.

A family friend of Paige testified in court that Eddleton was a "trickster" but had never witnessed anything to back this up.

Paige was Tyrone's primary caretaker as his memory has lessened over the years. Paige's defense attorney said the two met when Paige was two years old and raised his as his own, with Paige being very protective of him.  

In court on Friday, Paige had eight friends and family members there in support of him, some testifying it was shocking to hear what he’d done to Eddleton. Twelve character letters were submitted for the judge to read.   

Paige apologized to Eddleton and his mother, and his friends and family who were present.

"This is not my usual behavior," he said. "This is something I got caught up in the heat of the moment...I am terribly sorry."

He could be seen wiping away tears throughout the hearing and his supporters were visibly emotional about the 11-year sentence.   

They did not want to comment, and Eddleton was taken to a conference room afterward and could not provide comment.