Judge Sentences Murder Defendant for 2015 Stabbing

By D.C. Witness Staff - November 1, 2018
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects |

A DC Superior Court judge sentenced a murder defendant to 10 years in prison for stabbing a man to death when he was 18 years old.

In August, Tyreke Chambers pleaded guilty to second-degree murder while armed for the death of 46-year-old Tracy Jones on the 2400 block of Alabama Avenue, SE in 2015.

According to a proffer of facts, on the night of the murder, Chambers and a group of friends were attempting to rob Jones, who was drunk and appeared to be limping. During the altercation, Chambers stabbed Jones in the chest with a knife. According to the prosecution, the knife penetrated Jones’ heart.

During the sentencing, Jones’ brother addressed the defendant and explained that there were nine siblings in his family, and they “never lost a sibling to the streets until now.

The brother told the defendant that while his family doesn’t think 10 years was enough to make up for their loss, they don’t have any hate in their hearts. Instead, the family encouraged Chambers to pray and find himself. 

Subsequently, counsel discussed whether or not the court would enforce the statutory mandatory minimum. According to the prosecution, the mandatory minimum for second-degree murder while armed is five years. Furthermore, the prosecution said the mandatory minimum was already stipulated in the plea agreement.

The defense argued the plea was unclear with regard to enforcing the mandatory minimum.

Ultimately, Chambers elected to continue with the sentencing regardless of the mandatory minimum stipulation.

In turn, Judge Craig Iscoe sentenced Chambers and required him to serve the mandatory minimum of five years. 

Following his release from prison, Chambers will serve five years on supervised release.