A dramatic scene unfolded in a Florida courtroom when 22-year-old Kai Andrea Cooke collapsed into tears as a judge handed down a 20-year prison sentence for her role in a violent carjacking. Cooke, who believed she would receive probation after pleading no contest, was visibly shocked when the lengthy sentence was read.
According to court records, Cooke and her boyfriend, Kendrick Bass, used a dating app in March 2017 to lure 26-year-old Emmanuel Purcell to a meeting point. Prosecutors said the couple intended to steal Purcell’s car. When Purcell arrived, the plan escalated into violence. Bass shot Purcell during the attempted theft, leaving him seriously injured.
The pair did not stop there. Authorities said that later that night they successfully carjacked a second victim, cementing the case against them. Police arrested the couple soon after.
During her trial, Cooke’s court-appointed attorney advised her to plead no contest to all charges. She later alleged that the lawyer had assured her she would receive only probation and no jail time if she cooperated. Trusting that advice, Cooke entered the plea. Instead, the judge imposed a 20-year sentence, mirroring the punishment given to her co-defendant.
Witnesses described Cooke sobbing and collapsing at the defense table as deputies moved to escort her from the courtroom. Her family reportedly shouted in disbelief, accusing the attorney of misleading her.
After the sentencing, Cooke hired a new attorney who challenged the original plea. The new legal team produced an audio recording in which Cooke’s former lawyer can be heard telling her she would “likely only get probation” if she admitted to the March 2017 offenses. The revelation prompted a resentencing. The court reduced Cooke’s prison term from 20 years to 11 years, citing the apparent misrepresentation by her prior counsel.
Meanwhile, Kendrick Bass pleaded guilty to his charges without seeking a plea deal. He received 20 years for the carjacking plus an additional 15-year term for aggravated battery with a firearm, to run concurrently. Unlike Cooke, Bass has not appealed his sentence.
The case has sparked public debate over the fairness of plea deals and the ethical responsibilities of defense attorneys. Legal analysts note that while judges are not bound by prosecutors’ or defense lawyers’ recommendations, defense counsel have a duty to accurately advise clients of potential sentencing outcomes. Misrepresentation, even if unintentional, can undermine the validity of a plea.
Victims’ advocates say the sentences reflect the seriousness of the crimes, pointing out that Purcell survived but was left with lasting injuries. Supporters of criminal justice reform counter that Cooke’s initial sentence highlights the risks of young defendants taking plea deals without fully understanding the consequences.
As Cooke serves her reduced 11-year term, questions linger about how many other defendants may have been misled into pleas under similar circumstances.
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