Following recommendations from the Commonwealth and an “Alford” plea entered in late July, Circuit Judge John Atkins sentenced Tyquarius Stubbs to six concurrent years in prison Wednesday morning — for, among many charges, second-degree attempted fetal homicide, following an August 2022 altercation with his then-girlfriend.
Prior to sentencing, defense attorney Eric Bearden delivered a letter from Stubbs to Atkins and Commonwealth’s Attorney Stephanie Bolen — one that, Bearden said, offered remorse for his actions.
Bearden also noted there were some mental health concerns surrounding his client, especially after high school.
Bearden further indicated that, in the past, it had been recommended that Stubbs remain under mental health care and observation. Not so much in regard to competency, but in regard to mitigating emotion and behavior.
And he asked for Atkins to consider probation and/or shock probation, because of new and continuing responsibilities.
Stubbs has already served 18 months of a 12-month sentence for a crime in Crittenden County, and Bearden said six months credit has yet to be applied to his time served.
In July, Bearden confirmed to Atkins that the child in question was not his clients, and that the victim had moved to Tennessee since the incident. And, at that time, Bearden had asked if his client could be released to his mother’s care.
In a true bill returned on Stubbs by the September session of the Christian County Grand Jury, it was alleged he got into an argument over the father of his ex-girlfriend’s baby. Stubbs then reportedly hit his ex-girlfriend 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.
