Charged with attempted second-degree fetal homicide, second-degree domestic violence and first-degree strangulation after an August 2022 altercation with his then-girlfriend, Tyquarius Stubbs entered an “Alford plea” in Christian County Circuit Court Wednesday morning — removing any need for a trial date.
Also charged with the intimidation of a participant in the legal process and first-degree unlawful imprisonment, negotiations with Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Bolen all but confirmed a sentence of six concurrent years — something that will next be determined in a hearing on the morning of September 20.
Bearden confirmed to Circuit Judge John Atkins that the child in question was not his clients, and that the victim has moved to Tennessee since the incident. As such, he asked if his client could be released to his mother’s care until the sentencing phase, noting that a hammer clause would force the defendant’s penalty from six to 20 years if there were failures to comply.
Bolen asked for Atkins to reconsider.
Bearden also noted his client had other mental and medical concerns that make it difficult to fill out a pre-sentence investigation, but not so difficult as to face and admit guilt.
Atkins, then, noted he’d consider Stubbs’ release at a later time, following responses from each office.
The true bill on Stubbs was returned by the Christian County Grand Jury on September 20, 2022, and alleged he got into an argument over the father of his ex-girlfriend’s baby.
Stubbs then reportedly hit her in the face with a belt, choked her with his hands, and then punched and kicked her while she was 16 weeks pregnant.
The victim was able to get to Jennie Stuart Health, but was then transferred to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville.
