‘I’m sorry, grandma. I love you.’ Macon man pleads guilty to killing his brother in 2021

A week before his murder trial, James Card was having second thoughts.

Should he take the deal prosecutors were offering — 20 years behind bars — or should he go to trial and, if convicted, risk being sent away for life?

Card, 23, was jailed on a murder charge in July 2021 after his 19-year-old brother, Marquez Card, was shot to death in the wake of an argument with a third brother over a loaned cellphone.

James Card listened Monday morning in Bibb County Superior Court as his lawyer whispered to him about the choice that only Card could make: Plead to voluntary manslaughter or face a jury of his peers.

Card still wasn’t sure, but it was decision time. Judge David L. Mincey III asked Card whether he was, in fact, guilty.

“I ain’t pleading to no manslaughter,” Card said.

His words seemed to surprise courtroom spectators and lawyers from both sides. The judge asked again whether Card thought a plea was in his best interest.

“No, sir,” Card said. “I’m not doing it.”

As bailiffs led Card from the courtroom, his grandmother appeared to nod her approval, agreeing with his decision. Another onlooker supporting Card clapped softly as Card was taken back to jail to wait for trial.

Prosecuting attorneys spoke about how to prepare for a newly imminent trial after the sudden plea, but the change turned out to be short-lived.

Card returned to the courtroom half an hour later, his lanky frame slinking up to the podium with his attorney in tow after an apparent change of heart.

For the third time, Judge Mincey asked him whether he would plead guilty. Card hesitated once more.

“Let me put this on the record,” Mincey said when Card failed to answer. “Malice murder carries a maximum sentence of life without parole. This is what you’re dealing with.”

Mincey continued, going over all five of Card’s charges and listing the maximum sentence for each crime he was accused of in an attempt to fully explain to Card the time he might spend in jail if a trial did not go his way.

“I’m not even gonna cap, I’m gonna take these 20,” Card said, using lingo to express his sincerity. “I’m gonna take what y’all offering.”

The plea deal proceeded swiftly from there. Once a few more wrinkles were smoothed out, Mincey sentenced Card to 20 years in prison for voluntary manslaughter.

As bailiffs guided Card out of the courtroom, the newly sentenced man turned toward his grandmother, who had reacted when he initially rejected the plea deal.

“I love you, grandma,” Card said, using a voice louder than a mutter for the first time that morning as he called across the room. “I’m sorry.”

This story was originally published November 28, 2023 at 12:45 PM.