Judge Thomas Marcelle Sentences Three Men in Albany Poker Game Robbery Case
On Friday, Judge Thomas Marcelle presided over sentencing in Albany County Court for three men involved in a July 2022 robbery at an Albany poker game. Terrence Anthony, 47, Marshall Ayers, 48, and Jesse Taylor were sentenced after pleading guilty to charges related to the incident, with Anthony and Ayers receiving prison terms that will run concurrently with existing sentences.
Sentencing Details for Terrence Anthony and Marshall Ayers
Terrence Anthony pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree assault and was sentenced to five years in prison with five years of probation for each charge, to be served concurrently. His new sentence will run concurrently with a prior 20-year-to-life sentence he is already serving for attempting to rob a man at gunpoint following a Facebook Marketplace transaction. Anthony’s attorney, Daniel Smalls, noted that Anthony expressed remorse during the proceedings and is also a defendant in an upcoming trial related to the 2021 shooting death of Shanita Thomas, expected to initiate in October.
Marshall Ayers also pleaded guilty to three counts of second-degree assault and received a six-year prison sentence with five years of probation for each charge, to run concurrently. Ayers stated in court that he is working to make the rest of his life more beneficial for himself, his children, and his community. According to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Incarcerated Lookup, Ayers is currently serving time for second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
Judge Thomas Marcelle’s Role in the Case
Judge Thomas Marcelle, a justice of the New York State Supreme Court for the Third Judicial District, presided over the sentencing. Marcelle assumed office around 2022 after previously serving as Albany County Attorney and as a judge of the Cohoes City Court. He is known for his legal career, which includes arguing the landmark religious liberty case Solid News Club v. Milford Central School before the U.S. Supreme Court in 2001.
Background on the July 2022 Poker Game Robbery
The incident occurred in July 2022 at an Albany poker game, where six men were initially indicted. Three of the six men accepted plea deals and were sentenced by Judge Marcelle, while the cases of the remaining three individuals are pending. The sentences handed down reflect the violent nature of the robbery, which involved assault charges against the victims.
Related Legal Proceedings
Terrence Anthony’s involvement in the poker game robbery is connected to other legal matters, including his ongoing sentence for a separate armed robbery attempt and the upcoming trial for the 2021 shooting death of Shanita Thomas. Marshall Ayers’ sentence accounts for his current incarceration on a weapons possession charge, demonstrating how the court considered his existing legal status when determining the new penalty.
The case underscores the role of the Albany County Court in addressing violent crime and the judicial oversight provided by Judge Thomas Marcelle in ensuring accountability through the sentencing process.