An Illinois woman who pleaded guilty in December to stabbing her sister’s boyfriend in the heart as he entered a Gary apartment just over four years ago was sentenced Tuesday to six years in the Indiana Department of Correction with two years suspended.
Judge Gina Jones handed down the sentence to Tamika Graves after listening to sentencing arguments from the defense and prosecution. Jones said both sides had made statements without evidence at the sentencing hearing that were not part of the established findings of fact in the plea agreement to which Graves agreed. She said she would not be considering that information.
Graves was taken into custody immediately after the sentencing.
Prosecutor Cole Galloway said the case has dragged on because initially, the prosecutor’s office had trouble reaching the victim. In that time, the testimony by Grave’s sister, who told police at the scene she saw Tamika Graves stab the victim but did not know why, has since changed.
On May 17, 2020, Tamika Graves was a guest at the victim’s apartment which he shared with her sister. There were other people at the gathering and Graves and another person were in the parking lot. The victim left and when he returned, no one was outside so he entered the apartment. Upon entering, Graves stabbed him in the chest, according to the probable cause affidavit.
She then went to the kitchen, washed the knife and fled the scene. She never called 911.
The victim was stabbed through his heart and required the installation of two rods inside his body, going up both sides of his chest by his ribcage. He was in the hospital for almost a month and intubated for 10 days. He will have to have the rods stay in his body and remain on medication for the rest of his life, according to the document.
“We’re here today because Ms. Graves’ actions were very severe,” Galloway said in seeking her confinement to the Indiana Department of Correction.
Defense attorney John Roberts argued in seeking a suspended sentence that Graves has already served above the minimum sentence for the crime. She has made all her court appearances and has stayed out of trouble in the months following the plea deal. She has a place to live and is employed in a trade. She cares for her two nephews every other weekend.
“She has shown she can respond to court orders,” Roberts said.
Galloway said it was too little too late and questioned why she would now follow the terms of parole when the crime occurred while she was on parole for a crime in Illinois. Graves has been convicted of three prior misdemeanors and four felonies for crimes including aggravated fleeing and aggravated battery of a law enforcement office, among other offenses.
Jones agreed to accept the plea deal but said the aggravating circumstances including a criminal record with three misdemeanor and four felony convictions and prior violations of probation outweigh mitigating circumstances including her living situation.
“It’s like the lightbulb is finally on and I get it,” Jones said of Graves’ changed behavior. “I can’t just say now she finally gets it so there’s no consequence for this case.”
“I believe she’s received quite a benefit from the plea agreement as is,” Jones said.
Graves spoke on her behalf, talking about caring for her nephews, her job and place to live and her desire to continue to move forward if placed on probation.
“I’m just ready to be over this situation,” Graves said.
Graves was sentenced to six years in the DOC with two years suspended. She will get credit for 461 days served and 155 days for good behavior. Once her incarceration is complete, Graves will be allowed to live in Illinois and serve her probation in that state.
cnapoleon@chicagotribune.com