MARTINSBURG – A Martinsburg woman was sentenced Tuesday to five years in prison for the felony of aiding and abetting after the fact and one to five years in prison for conspiring to murder Tommy Dove, Jr.

Jennifer Nicole Thomas, 33, of Martinsburg, was originally charged with first degree murder, conspiracy to commit first degree murder and using a firearm in the commission of a felony.

Thomas’ sentence was the maximum allowed by law for the aforementioned charges, in accordance with a plea agreement with the state, as delivered by Judge of the 23rd Judicial Circuit Court, Laura Faircloth. The charges were ordered to be served consecutively or one at a time.

According to court proceedings, Thomas was in a vehicle with co-defendants Nashaun Malick Howard, now 20, of Washington, DC; Brooklyn Zavion Johnson, 17, who was 15 at the time of the shooting; and Deana Albrecht aka Deana Abrecht, now 22, of Luray, Va. on August 23, 2019, when Dove was shot by Howard and Johnson.

Thomas, who alleged she was “nodding” during the incident because of her high, also allegedly let a co-accused use her phone to lure Dove to the end of his driveway, where he was killed. The state also noted that Thomas never contacted police to assist with the investigation despite his presence.

According to Berkeley County Assistant District Attorney Ray Boyce, Thomas admitted that she knew Dove owed Howard and Johnson, also known as “DC Boys,” money.

However, Boyce said they did not believe Thomas’ story during his debriefing with the condition that they were only going to beat the victim, and she “dozed off” during the shooting, as she remembered that Johnson had used his phone to call the victim. and remembers that she never left the car and did not speak to the victim.

The state also noted that Thomas had texted Howard from a news article that the police were looking for him and that he should avoid local hotels.

In asking for the maximum sentence, Boyce also noted that Thomas was the adult in the situation and was walking around with children using illegal drugs, she texted trying to get out of that night saying “her ride has returned to her. “and called his presence at the scene of the crime a” fluke. “

Thomas ‘defense attorney Matthew Yanni sought leniency on sentencing due to Thomas’ remorse and the fact that she learned from his actions. He also claimed that his client was unaware that the intention was to shoot Dove.

Dove’s mother spoke in court on behalf of her family. While she was visibly upset that Thomas “lured my son to the streets,” she also said her heart ached for addiction-battling Thomas like her son. She hopes that at least one of the accused will be saved by being incarcerated.

At sentencing, Justice Faircloth noted Thomas’ criminal history, which shows that she was already granted leniency and continued to act against the law. She also noted that drug treatment has not been successful on its own and that she needs a structure to cleanse herself.

Finally, Justice Faircloth said the punishment would be to protect the general public and honor the wishes of the victim’s family.

Johnson was recently sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after being convicted by a jury. Howard has pleaded guilty and is due to be sentenced in August. Abrecht was sentenced to five years of home confinement.

Thomas was credited for time since his arrest on September 18, 2019.