Cedar Rapids man sentenced to 35 years for trying to kill ex-girlfriend with knife, hammer

CEDAR RAPIDS — A Cedar Rapids man, who was convicted by a jury in March for trying to kill his ex-girlfriend when he “lured” her with money to meet him and then “viciously” attacked her with a knife and claw hammer, was sentenced Tuesday to up to 35 years in prison.

Sixth Judicial District Judge Justin Lighfoot sentenced Jimmy Prophete, 43, to more prison time than was recommended by the prosecution because of the “violent and aggravating” nature of the offense, and because he showed no remorse, and the premeditated attack involved multiple weapons.

Prophete lured Jasmine Marcharles to meet him outside her southwest Cedar Rapids apartment, so he could give her money on April 12, 2023, but instead, handed her a bank envelope with pieces of paper, cut up to appear as dollar bills, Lightfoot pointed out.

Assistant Linn County Attorney Molly Edwards and John Bishop, Prophete’s lawyer, recommended running the sentences concurrently for up to 25 years in prison.

However, Lightfoot ran the 25-year attempted murder and 10-year willful injury convictions consecutively and ran the 2-year domestic abuse assault conviction concurrently for a total of up to 35 years in prison. He also ordered a five-year no contact order against Prophete to protect the victim.

Prophete must serve a mandatory sentence of 17 years of the 25 before being eligible for parole.

Earlier in the hearing, Lightfoot denied Prophete a new trial, saying the evidence at trial “overwhelmingly” established his guilty verdicts for attempted murder, willful injury causing serious injury and domestic abuse assault with intent to commit serious injury, following a three-day trial.

Lightfoot said Marcharles’ testimony was credible and Prophete’s version of events was “ridiculous, not believable or credible” as to his claims that Marcharles stabbed herself, one of which slashed her neck.

Prophete hit Marcharles’ head with the hammer and stabbed her multiple times, Lightfoot said. Marcharles was hospitalized for three days, had multiple surgeries, staples and stitches. At trial, she was still in pain and had visible injuries, he noted.

There was an eyewitness — a neighbor — who testified and had no motive to be untruthful, Lightfoot said. He also pointed out the witness said Prophete was wearing a red shirt, which was actually white, but it appeared red in the photos because of blood on it.

Prophete, who was born and raised in Haiti and had an interpreter during the trial and at sentencing, wanted to submit evidence that he said his lawyer wouldn’t introduce at trial, and repeatedly told the judge he wasn’t guilty.

Judge Lightfoot said he wasn’t going to go over all the evidence and Prophete would have a chance to appeal his sentence but this wasn’t the appropriate time. The purpose of the hearing Tuesday was to sentence Prophete, Lightfoot said.

At that point, Prophete put his head down on the defense table and then attempted to throw up, saying he didn’t feel well and couldn’t sit up. Prophete, who was still handcuffed, then got up and laid down by his chair in the courtroom.

Lightfoot called for a brief recess and Prophete, during the break, eventually got up and sat in his chair and the sentencing continued.

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