Woodbridge Woman's Killing Leads To Guilty Verdict

WOODBRIDGE, VA — A man was found guilty of murder in a Woodbridge woman's death outside a 7-Eleven in 2022, according to the Office of the Commonwealth's Attorney in Prince William County.

On Tuesday, a jury found Isaiah McGriff guilty of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in commission of a felony. The case relates to the July 1, 2022 killing of Claudia Morataya, of Woodbridge.

"This was a very technical and difficult case that took a lot of investigation on the part of the police detectives who obtained much of the circumstantial evidence that allowed us to proceed to trial," said Commonwealth's Attorney Amy Ashworth in a statement. "I am extremely grateful that we were able to obtain justice for Claudia's senseless murder and am proud of the work of everyone involved."

Police had responded to the 7-Eleven at 13990 Jefferson Davis Highway and found the victim dead with an apparent gunshot wound in the abdomen.

According to prosecutors, McGriff was with a group socializing and drinking outside the 7-Eleven. At one point, he and Morataya got into a dispute. The victim threw a beer bottle at McGriff's head, to which he replied, "I'm crip, b----, we don't bleed."

Prosectuors say McGriff was seen shooting Morataya later in the nearby woods.

Police recovered the gun used in the shooting at an apartment as well as McGriff's license and other documents. McGriff had denied being around the 7-Eleven on the night of Morotaya's killing, but prosecutors say doorbell camera footage found him at the same apartment the gun was found 15 minutes after the shooting.

McGriff will be sentenced on July 25. The case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant Commonwealth's Attorneys Kathleen Bilton and Dircia Schubert.