Defense Questions Plea Agreement, Judge Pushes Hearing Back

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By D.C. Witness Staff - October 31, 2018
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

<span data-mce-type="bookmark" style="display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;" class="mce_SELRES_start"></span>A DC Superior Court judge was scheduled to sentence a murder defendant Oct. 30; however, the hearing was continued after the defense voiced concerns about the agreement.

In August, Tyreke Chambers pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for fatally stabbing Tracy Jones, 46, on the 2500 block of Alabama Avenue, SE in 2015.

“Honestly the phrase ‘statutory mandatory minimum’ bothers me and I need to consult with my client first,” Monica Douglas, Chambers defense attorney, said.

During the hearing, Judge Craig Iscoe accepted 20-year-old Chambers’ plea and planned to sentence him to 10 years in prison and five years of supervised release per the terms of the plea.

However, while the judge was reading documents pertaining to the case the defense said she was unaware of the statutory mandatory minimum that was placed within the deal. Douglas told the court that she needed to conduct additional research on the matter before she could fully agree.

In turn, Judge Iscoe said he was unsure how the sentence would be a disadvantage to the defendant and noted that the agreed upon sentence was half of what most people get. According to Judge Iscoe, the mandatory minimum is mandated by law and is required for the court’s documentation.

Judge Iscoe continued the sentencing to Nov. 1.

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