Autistic man whose sentence is being questioned tests positive for COVID-19 Matthew Rushin was sentenced to 50 years with 40 suspended after being charged by a magistrate with attempted murder. Lavern Rushin has worked hard to get her son Matthew Rushin out of prison. She believes the Virginia Beach City Police Department and City Attorney took advantage of her son, who is autistic, to get a conviction. A GoFundMe, launched to raise money for legal fees, described the car accident which resulted in Rushin’s prison sentence. The campaign, started by his mother, stated in January 2019, her son drove to a local Panera Bread restaurant, also his place of work, where he mistakenly hit a vehicle.