Judge Schedules Plea Hearing for Nursing Assistant Accused of Pushing, Killing Elderly Man

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On Aug. 21, defense attorney Gabriel Christian told Baltimore City Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn there may be a possible resolution in the case of his client, Obiageriaku Iheanacho, who is accused of killing 75-year-old Ellsworth Johnson-Bey.

Iheanacho, 36, however, did not yet formally accept or reject the plea agreement offered by the assistant attorney general. She is expected to decide at her next court date on Sept. 18 before Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer

The plea offer included 25 years, suspending all but seven years, for first-degree assault to be served consecutively to two years for vulnerable adult abuse resulting in physical injury. If Iheanacho accepts, the prosecution will drop the charge for second-degree murder. 

Iheanacho is facing charges of second-degree murder, first-degree assault and vulnerable adult abuse resulting in physical injury.

According to The Baltimore Brew, on May 15, 2022, the Autumn Lake Post-Acute Care Center employee pushed and struck Johnson-Bey repeatedly after he did not immediately give her the rubber gloves he was holding.

Johnson-Bey was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital to be treated for his broken hip, but his condition deteriorated. He later died there on Sept. 5, 2022. His death was ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma.