An Endicott man charged with the 2024 shooting death of 20-year-old Qualyn “Rocky” Terry made an appearance in Broome County Court on June 30.
On Feb. 9, 2024, Terry was fatally shot in the area of Lewis and Henry streets in Binghamton. Investigators discovered he had been driving when he was shot, causing the car to crash. He was found lying in the street and pronounced dead at the scene.
Joziah Worthington, 21, was charged with second-degree murder while acting alone or in concert with another person and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in connection with Terry’s death.
Worthington was taken into custody by the U.S. Marshals Regional Fugitive Task Force on Dec. 19, 2024, at an Endicott residence on Jackson Avenue. The arrest warrant was triggered after a grand jury voted on a sealed indictment in the case. Tayshon Smith, 20, was also arrested in relation to Terry’s death on Jan. 7 in Chesterfield, Virginia.
On Jan. 7, Worthington was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Broome County DA offers Worthington plea deal in 2 cases
In court on June 30, Broome County District Attorney Paul Battisti said the prosecution has offered Worthington a plea deal that includes both charges in connection with Terry’s death as well as charges from a separate indictment.
Worthington was charged with two felonies, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon and third-degree criminal possession of a weapon, for an incident that allegedly took place on May 31, 2024, in the Village of Johnson City. He was arraigned on Oct. 23, 2024, and pleaded not guilty to both charges.
The all-encompassing plea deal offered by Battisti and Broome County Senior Assistant District Attorney Clair Pelella states that if Worthington pleads guilty to second-degree murder, he would receive 21 years to life in a state prison.
Additionally, if he pleads to a reduced charge of second-degree attempted criminal possession of a weapon for the separate indictment, he will serve four and a half years in a state prison with three years post-release supervision.
If accepted, Worthington will serve these sentences concurrently. His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 1, when the plea offer will expire.
This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Plea deal on the table for Endicott man accused of murder in death of Qualyn ‘Rocky’ Terry
Reporting by Jillian McCarthy, Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin / Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
