A probation violation on a drug conviction was the least of Zihqwan “Woodiey” Clemens’ problems. He is also facing murder charges for allegedly being an accomplice in the 2013 slaying of a Trenton man.
Zihqwan Clemens
On Thursday, the probation violation became a big problem for Clemens when things didn’t go the way he planned.
Clemens pleaded guilty in October to violating probation for not paying fines and missing appointments with his probation officer.
Last year co-defendant Keith Wells-Holmes was tried and acquitted of the shooting death of graffiti artist Andre Corbett. Following the acquittal Clemens, the alleged getaway driver, had his bail was reduced to $250,000 from $1 million.
With nearly three years of time spent behind bars, Clemens pleaded guilty to the VOP hoping Judge Robert Bilmeier would give him time served. That would pave the way for his family to spring him from jail by posting bail.
That plan, however unlikely in conception, played out worse in reality when Billmeier handed down five years.
Billmeier told Clemens he was warned by now-retired Judge Mark Fleming about the consequences if he violated probation.
“He’s left the words for me to follow,” Billmeier said.
Clemens has 1,057 days of jail credit and is almost certainly eligible for parole on the VOP. But like Billmeier said, “that’s for parole supervisors” to decide.
Clemens begged the judge for three years and for a lower bail.
After he completes his state prison sentence on the VOP, the high bail, which the judge said was on the low end of the bail guidelines, will likely keep Clemens’ family from coming up with the cash.
His actions since pleading guilty to the VOP didn’t help. He refused to speak to a probation officer trying to conduct a pre-sentencing report. Clemens told the judge he was asleep when the probation officer arrived.
Prosecutors have declined to drop murder charges against Clemens, and Assistant Prosecutor James Scott urged the judge to impose the maximum sentence on the VOP, saying it was “warranted,” because of Clemens’ lengthy record as a minor.
He also said evidence in Wells-Holmes’ murder trial suggested Clemens began dealing drugs six months after he was placed on probation for the drug conviction.