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By
Ting Hong [former]
- February 28, 2023
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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“Imma take my consequences for my actions.”
Defendant Khali Yates addressed the courtroom on Feb. 27 as she was sentenced for involuntary manslaughter before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge LaZette Ringgold-Kirksey.
During her trial in March 2022, Yates and her ex-boyfriend found themselves tussling for possession of her handgun. The gun went off, shooting her ex-boyfriend’s mother in the upper torso.
The prosecutor assigned to the case said the family of the victim advocated for the 23-year-old defendant to be punished with the maximum sentence.
“This incident will be carried by her forever,” said defense attorney Daniel Green, while advising his client.
Green advocated for the defendant, saying that she was not a threat to society and requested that the punishment be within guidelines and not unreasonably harsh.
Members of Yates’ family were present during the sentencing. Her grandmother, who suffers from epilepsy, expressed how Yates helps to manage her condition and keep her spirits up. She says that “I have faith, not only in God but in her.”
Judge Ringgold-Kirksey sentenced Yates to ten years, suspending all but eight years with five years of supervised probation for involuntary manslaughter and three years with three years of supervised probation for having a handgun on her person. The defendant would also be required to stay away from the victim’s family and register as a gun offender.
Yates apologized to everyone after her allocution statement.