Murder Defendant Receives Reduced Sentence After Serving 30 Years in Prison

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A murder defendant says he found faith during his 30-year incarceration period and asked victims for forgiveness during a collateral hearing on Feb. 15.

Defendant Jacoby Bennett appeared in front of Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yvette M. Bryant to request a ten-year reduction to his 60 year sentence.

Defense attorney Edie Fortuna reported that Bennett, 46, had a total of three infractions during his time in prison, explaining that Bennett found faith in Islam and is an Iman and peacemaker at his facility.

Fortuna called three social workers to testify on Bennett’s past with drugs as well as potential therapy and re-entry programs.

A sergeant was also called by Fortuna also called a sergeant with the Baltimore City Police Department (BPD), who testified to working with Bennett for over a decade in prison. The sergeant said Bennett is well-known as a leader in his religious group, and is frequently called upon to help calm his Muslim brothers showing bad behavior.

Bennett, who said he changed his name to Yusef following his conversion to Islam, said that he was sorry for the harm he caused the victims and asked for their forgiveness as well as their families forgiveness.

Before finding his faith, Bennett went by the name “Bebop,” but his name was a reminder of the person he doesn’t want to be.

A male victim expressed his gratitude to Bennett for finding faith but stated he believed that the defendant still harbors “Bebop” within him. He revealed that the shooting left a bullet in his lung and that there wasn’t justice in reducing his sentence.

A female victim said her left leg remains paralyzed following the shooting. She expressed her fear of Bennett’s release and her disbelief that his early release would be justified.

Judge Bryant highlighted how powerful an impact statement may still be felt even 30 years after an incident. She stated that the horrible acts of the incident, successes while incarcerated, and the defendant’s age are taken into account by the courts.

Judge Bryant said Bennett is considered to have a minimal chance of reoffending once released based on his prison history, and the courts do not see him as a threat to the public.

Judge Bennett granted the defense attorney’s request to reduce the defendant’s total 60-year sentence, 30-years for each person, by ten years for second-degree murder and use of a handgun in committing a crime, but stipulated that he must enroll in a program for substance abuse and mental health support, as well as a stay away order from the victims.