In a recent turn of events in the case of Andy Tench, a Belmont man who vanished a year ago, a suspect has been denied a plea deal that would have possibly lessened his sentence. The decision, rendered by a North Carolina judge, was influenced by the adamant opposition from Tench's family. According to WSOCTV, the ruling by the judge against D’Shaun Robinson marked a noticeable moment of relief for the Tench's family.
Tench's sister, Natasha Newman, expressed her gratitude outside the courtroom, stating, "It's a great day, I'm feeling very thankful and blessed that the judge was able to read our victim impact statements, was able to look at the prior cases", according to a WCNC report. Her words highlight the sense of justice the family felt, having been given what she termed "a chance" at a full hearing of the case.
Deepening the weight of the decision, the family's impact on the judge was significant. Natasha Newman, in a victim-impact statement, addressed the defendant directly, saying, "It is people like you who should not be allowed to roam the street", and implying that a more stringent judgment in a prior case against Robinson could have prevented her brother's disappearance, as reported by the Charlotte Observer.
Amid the courtroom, family members, and advocates wore shirts bearing Tench's likeness and the #JusticeForAndy slogan, demonstrating their solidarity and enduring grief. Tench’s mother, Tracie Blanton, addressed the court in an emotional testimony, "He didn’t just die," Blanton said, "he hid him from us and we can have no closure," revealing the profound impact of not only the loss but the manner in which Tench had been taken from them, according to Charlotte Observer.
