Terrance Jennings, 37, appeared before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Catherine Chen on May 22 for sentencing proceedings in the homicide of Deandre Yelverton, 36, which included emotional testimony from the victim’s family, arguments from both attorneys, as well as playing of recorded jail calls in court.
Jennings accepted a sentence of 13 years, suspending all but 10 years with 5 years of supervised probation.
Defense attorney Jerry Rodriguez appeared on behalf of Jennings. Members of Yelverton’s family were also present in the courtroom.
During victim impact statements, Yelverton’s cousin rejected the idea that Jennings had been a true friend to Yelverton and described the lasting emotional impact of the homicide on the family.
“The defendant was not family to us,” said Yelverton’s cousin. “He was not Deandre’s friend.”
She also told the court Yelverton’s children are now growing up without their father and said the victim would not be present to see his son graduate from middle school this summer.
“Our family has also been robbed,” she stated. “The defendant did not just take Andre’s life, he also took future memories.”
The family asked the court to impose the maximum sentence and referenced what they described as repeated violent behavior.
During arguments, the prosecutor stated that although Jennings and Yelverton knew each other, Jennings’ actions were not those of a friend. The state argued an altercation should not have escalated to deadly violence and displayed autopsy photographs while discussing Yelverton’s fatal injuries.
“He got to walk away that night without seeing what he did,” the prosecutor stated.
The state further argued Jennings showed little remorse and referenced recorded jail calls made following the verdict. In one call played for the court, Jennings was heard saying, “Be mad, stay mad and never cool down.” The state also played portions of calls in which Jennings mocked Yelverton’s family and made additional statements regarding the homicide.
“The mask slipped,” the prosecutor argued. “The defendant, in those jail calls, shows us exactly who he is.”
He described Jennings as “an insecure child who can’t control his temper” and argued deterrence was unlikely. The state requested a sentence of 10 years for voluntary manslaughter and an additional sentence related to the weapons conviction, followed by supervised probation, anger management, substance abuse treatment and mental health screenings.
Rodriguez argued the state was attempting to relitigate the jury’s verdict and relied too heavily on selected portions of the recorded calls. Defense acknowledged portions of the calls sounded inappropriate but argued Jennings may have been attempting to cope with a stressful situation.
“There is some joviality behind his voice that is perhaps inappropriate,” Rodriguez stated, adding that prosecutors were presenting only “clips” rather than the full context of the calls.
The defense further argued the jury had already determined the incident involved partial justification and accused the state of minimizing the circumstances leading up to the altercation. Rodriguez requested a sentence within sentencing guidelines.
Before imposing sentence, Judge Chen addressed Jennings directly and stated the court was disturbed by the tone of the jail calls and the mocking of Yelverton’s family. The judge stated Jennings appeared more remorseful about the consequences he faced than for Yelverton’s death itself.
Judge Chen also referenced Jennings’ prior criminal history and stated substance abuse was “not an excuse” for the conduct before the court. The judge warned Jennings he would “be staying in jail for a long time” and stated his future behavior would ultimately be up to him.
