BREAKING: In a dramatic turn of events, a Delaware County man has pleaded guilty to third-degree murder just two weeks before his trial was set to begin. Marquan “Trey” Manere Banks, 26, admitted to fatally shooting 37-year-old Jermaine Pierce in the face during an altercation in Norristown on January 11, 2025.
The plea was accepted by Montgomery County Court Judge Wendy G. Rothstein, who sentenced Banks to 18 to 36 years in state prison. This decision avoids the risk of a more severe conviction for first-degree murder, which carries a mandatory life sentence. Banks had been facing trial starting on October 6.
As Banks expressed remorse in court, grieving family and friends of Pierce were present, highlighting the emotional weight of the situation. “This plea represents a step towards justice for Jermaine,” said Assistant District Attorney Samantha Cauffman, who, along with co-prosecutor Margot Weitz, managed the case.
The shooting occurred at approximately 7:34 p.m. in the 500 block of Noble Street. Police found Pierce’s body at the scene, having succumbed to a single gunshot wound to the face, confirmed as homicide by an autopsy. Evidence gathered nearby included multiple shell casings, which played a crucial role in identifying Banks as the shooter.
Surveillance footage captured the moments leading up to the shooting, showing Banks and two associates approaching Pierce and another man, Isaiah Robert Bell, who had previously pleaded guilty to a related charge of recklessly endangering another person. Bell was sentenced to 197 days to 23 months in county jail.
Banks’ extensive criminal history, including drug and firearms violations, was noted in court. In September 2022, he was convicted of simple assault and prohibited from possessing a firearm. Detectives reported that the incident escalated quickly, with Banks pulling out his firearm during a seemingly casual encounter, resulting in Pierce’s tragic death.
With the charges of first-degree murder and other firearm-related offenses dismissed under the plea agreement, Banks now faces a lengthy prison sentence. The case has drawn significant attention from the community, reflecting ongoing issues of gun violence and safety in urban areas.
As the community processes this devastating loss, the focus now shifts to the broader implications of this incident and ongoing efforts to address violence in Norristown. The sentencing marks an important chapter in the pursuit of justice for the victim’s family, but the fight against gun violence continues.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
