The sobering tale of love, music, and murder culminated in Sasha Skare's sentencing to 55 years behind bars for the fatal shooting of Martell Derouen, an aspiring San Antonio rapper connected to Beyoncé by kinship. Derouen, known by his stage name Kordone, was tragically killed in January 2021 near La Cantera, according to KSAT.
Skare, who was immediately apprehended with a murder weapon, declined a plea deal offering a 20-year sentence just one week prior to her conviction. The case, which drew widespread attention, came to a close after an intense trial where Skare portrayed herself as a victim of circumstance, a narrative that was overtly dismissed by the jury. The same jury deliberated for over four hours before handing down the sentence, according to KSAT.
In court, the impact of Derouen's untimely death was palpable through the tearful testimonies of his family. Martell's sister, Kami Derouen, delivered a poignant victim impact statement directly to Skare, saying, "Sasha the pain and agony you brought upon my family is unbearable. You deserve this and its time for you to pay. Fix your sheets, if you have any because you’ve made your bed and now its time to lay in it," as reported by KSAT.
As the defense offered no witnesses during the punishment phase, the prosecution worked to underscore the calculated nature of Skare's actions. They scrutinized her claim of self-defense and suggested her intent was clear when she fired the fatal shot through Derouen's apartment door. The disbelief in Skare's explanation was echoed in prosecutor Chris Ramos's statement, "By her actions, she’s implicating Joia in Martell’s death. That sounds very cold-blooded to me," according to KSAT.
Skare has since been transferred to a prison in Dayton, TX, where she will spend her sentence, with eligibility for parole set in 2048.
