A former Law & Order star looked barely recognizable as he was led into a New York City courtroom.
Isaiah Stokes, 43, appeared devastated in the Queens courtroom after spending months in New York’s Rikers Island jail.
The actor, who appeared in a 2009 episode of Law & Order, pleaded with the judge to change his lawyer for the fourth time, but was denied.
The judge continued the pre-trial hearing with his parents in the gallery on Wednesday.
Stokes was arrested and charged with the February 2021 murder of 37-year-old Tyrone Jones in Forest Hills, Queens.
Isaiah Stokes, 43, appeared haunted by his time at Rikers Island off the coast of New York as he appeared in a Queens courtroom with a blank look in his eyes and hunched shoulders.
The actor, who appeared in a 2009 episode of Law & Order, pleaded with the judge to change his attorney 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 approaching his rented white Jeep Cherokee and shooting him multiple times in the face and head.
His lawyer said there was a “clear and present” threat to his life and he claimed to have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Stokes has a broken tooth, a disfigurement that occurred after he was assaulted inside the jail.
He was last housed in a wing of the prison for inmates in protective custody, away from the general population, in a single cell with a bed, sink and toilet.
The actor said in December that he had been “locked” to his cell bed for nearly a month and was reportedly only allowed out once a day to shower or receive visitors.
In a statement to the New York City Department of Corrections, seen by DailyMail.com, Stokes claims the problems within the detention center arose after he was moved from the West Facility in August “for no reason.”
He wrote that he was falsely accused of “swearing” at prison staff, prompting the action, and has been targeted because he is not a “gang member” and has no affiliation with any gang within the facility.
Stokes’ lawyer, Victoria Brown-Douglas, also requested that he be removed from the notorious Rikers Island after he was allegedly beaten (pictured: Stokes on a red carpet in 2019)
The actor (pictured on a TV show) also claimed in December that an officer had been “antagonising and harassing” him since his arrival because he was “jealous of his celebrity”.
The actor also claimed at the time that an officer had been “antagonizing and harassing” him since his arrival because he was “jealous of his celebrity.”
Stokes portrayed Mozzy in the television series Power in 2019 and had roles in Boardwalk Empire in 2011 and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2009. He also records music under the name I$AIAH, according to IMBD.
In his statement, he claims the officer heard about his acting career through other inmates and staff, because it was not something he talked about.
Stokes (pictured in court Wednesday) was arrested and charged with the February 2021 murder of 37-year-old Tyrone Jones in Forest Hills, Queens.
Surveillance footage allegedly shows Stokes (pictured in court Wednesday) walking alongside the driver’s side window of the Jeep before reversing, shooting his victim and fleeing the scene.
He faces a three-count indictment charging him with second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon. If convicted, Stokes faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
Stokes is accused of shooting Jones 11 times after approaching his rented white Jeep Cherokee and shooting him multiple times in the face and head.
Surveillance footage allegedly shows Stokes walking alongside the driver’s side window of the Jeep before reversing, shooting his victim and fleeing the scene.
His parents attended his court hearing in Queens, New York, on Wednesday.
The suspect was captured in separate footage getting into a rented Audi, which police say they tracked to a parking spot near Stokes’ home.
Authorities have yet to publicly confirm what they believe led to the killing, and sources close to Stokes say the actor has “no idea” who his alleged victim was.
Stokes denies the charges against him.
