For every right there’s a wrong, for every action there’s a consequence, and for every convict there’s a sentence—even if you’re a Law & Order alum.
Isaiah Stokes, who appeared on Season 10 of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, was sentenced Friday to 25 years to life behind bars for a 2021 shooting where he exhibited “murderous rage.” The actor was found guilty of criminal possession of a weapon and the second-degree murder of 37-year-old New Yorker Tyrone Jones.
The sentence followed a rocky two-week trial where prosecutors claimed Stokes, now 45, had sought revenge against Jones for months in a “calculated murder,” according to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. It all started in October 2020 after Stokes behaved inappropriately toward female guests. Jones told him to leave, but Stokes refused. A physical altercation ensued, and Stokes was kicked out.
Filled with vengeance, Stokes placed a GPS tracking device under Jones’ vehicle in January 2021, which he used to track the victim that February to the scene of the crime.
Jones was going about his day as usual, sitting in a parked car and waiting for a friend to arrive. They were planning on having lunch at a nearby restaurant. But Stokes arrived before Jones even left the car. He drew his gun and shot the victim 11 times, hitting his head and chest. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.
“The defendant, a part-time actor, stewed for months after being thrown out of a birthday party for his own inappropriate behavior,” said Katz, saying that Stokes was “intent on revenge.”
The tense trial came to a head when Stokes interrupted during his sentencing remarks and the judge snapped, “I don’t care what you said! I don’t care if you maintain your innocence, you are more guilty than anyone I’ve seen in this courtroom.”
Judge Kenneth Holder added, “You thought staying in jail for as long as you can would do wonders for your movie career when you got out. But here’s the problem, you have to get out and you’re not getting out, no one can intentionally plan a murder and carry it out as stupidly as you did.”
The judge added that Stokes “hatched” the plan after being consumed by his anger.
“You hunted down Jones and shot him 11 times and ensured he would die,” he added. “Ironically the murderous rage you undertook presents you with the notoriety you hope for.”
Holder also chastised the actor for throwing away his “impressive” acting talent in one fit of rage.
The victim’s father said Stokes was a “monster” for “stalking and murdering” his only son.
Stokes also appeared in Season 3 of FX’s Rescue Me, Season 2 of HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, and multiple seasons of the FX series Louie. His last credited acting gig was in Season 1 of Starz show Power.
