Michael Yeldon's killer now faces 25 years after last minute plea deal before trial

The 18-year-old charged with killing a man at Attucks Court in 2021 took a last second plea deal before his trial Monday that would substantially decrease his time served in prison.

Iris Jenkins pleaded no contest to the court on one count of second-degree murder, one count of attempted second-degree murder and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon. In return, the State Attorney's Office announced they would not prosecute his aggravated assault charge.

Assistant State Attorney Amy Shea, the attorney prosecuting Jenkins, told the News Journal that as part of the plea there is a stipulation that Jenkins be sentenced to a maximum of 25 years in prison. According to Florida Statutes, second-degree murder with a firearm requires a sentence of 25 years to life.

Ready for trial?: 18-year-old Pensacola man preparing to face jury in 2021 Attucks Court shooting

Jenkins arrested: Pensacola police arrest 17-year-old in homicide of 22-year-old at Attucks Court

What did Iris Jenkins do on Aug. 14, 2021?

On Aug. 14, 2021, 22-year-old Michael Yeldon Jr. was driving his car at the Attucks Court housing complex around 7:30 p.m. with passenger Cedric Lockett Jr.

Jenkins then began firing into the vehicle. After Yeldon was shot, his vehicle struck an apartment building.

Yeldon was transported to Baptist Hospital and succumbed to his injuries Aug. 15 while surrounded by his family, his father, Michael Anthony Yeldon Sr., told the News Journal in 2021.

The night of the incident, Yeldon drove to pick up Lockett and a third person named Willie McKay, according to Jenkins' arrest report.

Lockett told authorities they believed they were going to "meet some females." Once in the vehicle, McKay told Yeldon he need to stop by Attucks Court.

"Once at Attucks Court, Yeldon drove around in the complex for a brief period," the report states. "At one point, Lockett saw three males standing on a corner inside the complex. He heard McKay shout something as he opened the rear passenger door to exit the vehicle as it approached the males."

Lockett told authorities that McKay had partially exited the vehicle when Lockett said he heard gunshots. He said he heard McKay shout for Yeldon to drive, but the car would not accelerate and began to slowly roll.

The arrest report states Jenkins was dating a woman named Ly'Niya Purifoy during the incident. While Purifoy and Jenkins were dating, she was pregnant with McKay's child, according to the report.

"Jenkins and McKay do not get along," the report says. "They have been arguing for weeks and making threats toward each other's life."

Purifoy told detectives that McKay contacted her the day of the shooting, saying he was going to kill Jenkins in Attucks Court.

Yeldon was seemingly caught in the crossfire.

Speedy trial: Pensacola teen jailed for 2 years on murder charges demands speedy trial before judge

Iris Jenkins submitted a demand for speedy trial

A defendant's motion for a speedy trial "binds the accused and the state," according to Florida's Rules of Criminal Procedure, and tells the court that the defense is ready for trial within five days from the motion.

Once a demand for speedy trial motion is filed, a judge must hold a calendar call within five days. During the calendar call, the court "shall set the case for trial to commence at a date no less than five days nor more than 45 days from the date of the calendar call."

Jenkins submitted his demand for speedy trial May 16 and had his calendar call before a judge May 22, meaning he then has 45 days to go to trial, according to Florida's Rules of Criminal Procedure.

His 45-day limit for speedy trial is Thursday.

The specific reasons for Jenkins demanding a speedy trial is unclear, as the discussion falls under attorney-client privilege, but the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees a person the right to a speedy trial.

Additionally, the Speedy Trial Act of 1972 provides time limits for district and federal court cases. Florida's Rules of Criminal Procedure also outline the requirement of speedy trial for Florida cases.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Iris Jenkins faces 25 years for murder of Michael Yeldon in Pensacola