Decedent’s Family Disrupts Killer’s Sentencing

By D.C. Witness Staff - May 29, 2018
Court | Homicides | Suspects |

The sentencing for Thomas Joyner became unruly May 25 as the decedent’s family expressed their agitation.

The family of Joe Cook, who was fatally shot by Joyner in 2016, yelled and cursed as they gave their statements of impact to District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Danya Dayson. Joyner, 28, pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter on Jan. 7, 2017.

Tonetta Cook, the decedent’s older sister, repeatedly addressed Joyner during the sentencing process.

“Look at me, I want you to look me in the eye and tell me you’re sorry,” the sister said during her statement. “This was premeditated; you emptied two clips in my brother. Sixteen shots for what?”

Tonetta was eventually asked to leave the courtroom after she continuously interrupted Joyner during his statement to the judge.

Joyner, who said he was allegedly high on PCP and marijuana, asked Cook’s family for forgiveness.

“I admit this wasn’t self defense and I acted out of fear in a drug induced state,” Joyner said. “I am not the same man today I was then.”

Judge Dayson sentenced Joyner to 16 years in prison with an additional five years of supervised release. He is also
required to register as a gun offender after his prison term.

The sentence will be imposed at a later date because Joyner has a civil matter that needs to be resolved in Maryland.