Shocking decline in looks of ‘murderer’ Law & Order star as he makes dramatic plea at his latest court appearance
A former Law & Order star was barely recognizable as he was led into a New York City courtroom.
Isaiah Stokes, 43, looked anguished in court in Queens after spending months in New York’s Rikers Island jail.
The actor, who appeared in a 2009 episode of Law & Order, begged the judge for the fourth time to replace his lawyer, but was denied.
The judge continued the preliminary hearing on Wednesday, with his parents seated in the public gallery.
Stokes was arrested and charged with the murder of Tyrone Jones, 37, in February 2021 in Forest Hills, Queens.
Isaiah Stokes, 43, appeared haunted by his time on Rikers Island off the coast of New York as he appeared in a Queens courtroom with a forlorn look in his eyes and hunched shoulders
The actor, who appeared in a 2009 episode of Law & Order, begged the judge to let him change lawyers for the fourth time, but was denied
Stokes’ attorney, Victoria Brown-Douglas, also requested that he be removed from the notorious Rikers Island after he was allegedly beaten.
Stokes is accused of shooting Jones (pictured) 11 times after he approached his white rental Jeep Cherokee, shooting him multiple times in the face and head
According to his lawyer, there was a “clear and present” threat to his life and he claimed he had PTSD.
Stokes has a broken tooth, a deformity he suffered after being attacked in prison.
His final residence was a wing of the prison for prisoners in protective custody, far from the general population. He was in a single cell with a bed, a sink and a toilet.
The actor said in December that he has been “stuck” in his cell bed for almost a month and is reportedly only allowed out once a day to shower or visit.
In a statement to the New York City Corrections Department, seen by DailyMail.com, Stokes claims the problems at the detention center arose after he was transferred from the West Facility “without cause” in August.
He wrote that he was wrongly accused of “swearing” at prison staff, which prompted his action. He has been targeted because he is not a “gang member” and has no ties to any gang within the institution.
Stokes’ attorney, Victoria Brown-Douglas, also requested his removal from the infamous Rikers Island after he was allegedly beaten (Pictured: Stokes on the red carpet in 2019)
The actor (pictured on a TV show) also claimed in December that an officer had been “obstructing and harassing” him since his arrival because of his “jealousy of his celebrity.”
The actor also claimed at the time that an officer had been “obstructing and harassing” him since his arrival because he was “jealous of his celebrity.”
Stokes played Mozzy in the TV series Power in 2019 and had roles in Boardwalk Empire in 2011 and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2009. According to IMBD, he also records music under the name I$AIAH.
In his statement, he claims that the officer heard about his acting career from other inmates and staff because he didn’t talk to them about it.
Stokes (pictured in court Wednesday) was arrested and charged with the February 2021 murder of Tyrone Jones, 37, in Forest Hills, Queens
Surveillance footage reportedly shows Stokes (pictured in court Wednesday) walking past the driver’s side window of the Jeep, then backing up, shooting his victim and fleeing the scene.
He faces a three-count indictment, accusing him of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. If convicted, Stokes faces 25 years to life in prison.
Stokes is accused of shooting Jones 11 times after he approached his white rental Jeep Cherokee, shooting him multiple times in the face and head.
Surveillance footage shows Stokes walking past the driver’s side window of the Jeep, then backing up, shooting his victim and fleeing.
His parents attended his court hearing in Queens, New York on Wednesday
Separate footage shows the suspect getting into a rented Audi. Police say they followed the car to a parking lot near Stokes’ home.
Authorities have yet to confirm what they believe was the motive for the killing. Sources close to Stokes say the actor has “no idea” who his alleged victim was.
Stokes denies the allegations against him.