‘Law & Order’ Star Isaiah Stokes Convicted Of Real-Life Murder In Chilling Case

Isaiah Stokes, a New York-based actor known for his appearances on "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Boardwalk Empire," and "Power," has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the 2021 murder of Tyrone Jones in Queens, New York.

The 45-year-old actor was convicted earlier this month on charges of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon after a two-week trial.

Prosecutors revealed that Isaiah Stokes ambushed 37-year-old Jones in a brutal daylight shooting, firing 11 rounds into the victim’s vehicle, striking him multiple times in the head and chest. Jones was pronounced dead at the scene.

According to Daily Mail, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz said the fatal attack was the culmination of a months-long grudge Stokes held following an altercation at Jones' birthday party in 2020, where Stokes had been removed for inappropriate behavior. Katz said the actor went so far as to place a GPS tracker on Jones’ car in the weeks leading up to the murder.

"Isaiah Stokes, embarrassed and upset that he was thrown out of a birthday party in October 2020, sought revenge on Tyrone Jones," she said in a statement. "Months later, the defendant attached a GPS tracking device to his victim’s vehicle and stalked Jones for more than a week. Stokes tracked Jones down to Linden Boulevard and fired 11 times into Jones’ vehicle, striking the man in his head and chest."

She continued, "Justice has now been served for the premeditated murder perpetrated by this defendant and he will now spend 25 years to life in prison as a direct consequence of his criminal actions."

At his sentencing on Friday, March 21, Stokes appeared emotionless as Judge Kenneth Holder delivered a blistering rebuke.

“You are more guilty than anyone I've seen in this courtroom,” the judge declared, accusing Stokes of meticulously planning the crime in a misguided attempt at revenge. "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. You were angry over a beatdown you got months earlier, you had all that rage consuming you for months and hatched this ridiculous plan," he continued. "You hunted down Jones and shot him 11 times and ensured he would die... ironically the murderous rage you undertook presents you with the notoriety you hope for. You're now an example of how one can completely ruin their life in the blink of an eye."

Holder also criticized the actor for rejecting a plea deal, despite video surveillance clearly identifying him as the shooter.

“You have some small degree of talent, impressive talent,” the judge noted. “What makes this whole thing so perplexing... why would you throw all this away for a fight that you said was 'no big deal'?”

The courtroom was filled with emotional outbursts from the victim’s family.

Tyrone Jones Sr., the victim’s father, gave a heart-wrenching victim impact statement, saying, "TJ was fun, loving, he is my son, a brother, uncle and a nephew. What I don't want to remember is the day that you decided to murder my son."

He continued, "I lost my only son on February 7, 2021, TJ did not die from a car accident or a disease but by the hand of a monster, Isaiah Stokes. Isaiah, you stalked my son, you followed TJ for weeks, but TJ... What did TJ do to you? As TJ sat in his car and was unaware... You lied to everyone! I gotta go to the cemetery to talk to my son in a grave."

Stokes, who was once active in the hip-hop community under the name I$AIAH and released music as recently as 2023, had been held at Rikers Island since his 2021 arrest. His film and television credits include appearances in "Rescue Me," "Boardwalk Empire," "Louie," and "Power."

The murder case has left many in shock, with former fans and colleagues grappling with the stark contrast between Stokes’ on-screen roles and the calculated violence of his real-life actions.