Navy sailor is sentenced to nearly six years for manslaughter in woman’s death at Midway District motel

A Navy sailor who pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter in connection with a woman’s death at a Midway District motel was sentenced Oct. 14 to nearly six years in state prison.

Marquise Tyree Wisher, 28, pleaded guilty earlier this year to causing the May 4, 2020, death of Rosa Jaco, 32.

Wisher, who previously was charged with murder in the case, also pleaded guilty to domestic violence and false imprisonment counts for a separate incident involving his wife, which occurred less than two months before Jaco died.

Paramedics responding to a call for medical aid at a motel in the 3800 block of Greenwood Street found Jaco unconscious and unresponsive.

At Wisher’s arraignment, Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Matzger said the cause of death was strangulation and alleged that Wisher’s DNA was found under the victim’s fingernails.

At Wisher’s sentencing, the victim’s mother, Yolanda Jaco, expressed anger and disbelief over what she said was a light punishment. She said one of her family members had received more time for drug offenses than Wisher did for killing someone.

She and other family members shared their feelings of loss, as well as their struggles caring for Rosa Jaco’s four children.

In a statement to the court, Wisher said: “I never intended to cause the victim any harm, but I know I have to take responsibility for my actions. I don’t blame anyone but myself. I pray that one day I’ll be forgiven for my crime.”