An Atlantic City man pleaded guilty Wednesday in the assault of a teen outside a Pleasantville strip club last year.
Jamaul Timberlake’s plea agreement is contingent on co-defendants Garnell and John Hands to also admit guilt later this month.
But at least one attorney says he was not informed of the plea, or that his client is expected to make an admission as a result.
“Interesting, when you have three co-defendants with original counsel disputing the level of the offense, now one jumps on an offer without advising anyone else,” said Matthew Portella, who represents John Hands.
Timberlake’s attorney could not be immediately reached for comment.
Timberlake and the Hands brothers are accused of beating Irving Mayren-Guzman, 19, outside Centerfolds Jan. 23. The victim was found two days later in the marsh near the club.
Timberlake and the Hand brothers were charged in Mayren-Guzman’s beating, but were not criminally connected to his death. That decision led to more protests.
All three have remained in the Atlantic County Justice Facility.
Timberlake, 31, pleaded guilty to third-degree aggravated assault Wednesday. He faces four years in prison as a result.
His attorney moved for Timberlake to be released pending sentencing Feb. 22, but the judge found that he remains a danger to the community.
Timberlake has no prior adult interactions with the justice system, but his juvenile history is fairly extensive. It includes a carjacking and a sexual assault committed when he was 12, which makes him a Megan’s Law offender.
He will remain jailed.
Portella said the plea announcement “is further justification that, if the case goes to trial, we’re going to need an out-of-county jury to come in,” adding that the state has tainted the potential jury pool.
