Shocking decline in looks of 'murderer' Law & Order star as he makes dramatic plea at his latest court appearance

A former Law & Order star looked barely recognizable as he was ushered into a New York City courtroom.

Isaiah Stokes, 43, looked haunted in the Queens court following months at the New York jail Rikers Island.

The actor, who appeared on a Law & Order episode in 2009, begged the judge to change his attorney for the fourth time, which was denied. 

The judge continued forward with the pre-trial hearing with his parents in the gallery on Wednesday. 

Stokes was arrested and charged over the February 2021 slaying of Tyrone Jones, 37, in Forest Hills, Queens. 

Stokes' lawyer, Victoria Brown-Douglas, also requested he be removed from the notorious Rikers Island after he was allegedly beaten up. 

His lawyer said there was a 'clear and present' threat to his life and he claimed to have PTSD. 

Stokes has a broken tooth, a disfigurement that happened after he was assaulted inside the jail. 

He was last being housed in a wing of the jail for protective custody prisoners, away from the general population, in a single occupancy cell with a bed, sink and toilet.

The actor said in December that he has been 'dead-locked' in his cell bed for nearly a month and is reportedly only allowed to leave once a day to shower or for visitation.

In a statement to the Correction Department of the City of New York, seen by DailyMail.com, Stokes claims that the issues within the detention center were sparked after he was moved from the West Facility in August 'for no reason.'

He wrote that he was falsely accused of 'cursing' at correctional staff, which sparked the move and has been targeted because he is not a 'gangbanger' and has no affiliation with any gangs inside the facility. 

The actor also claimed at the time that one officer has been 'antagonizing and harassing him' since his arrival because of his 'jealous of his celebrity.' 

Stokes played Mozzy in the TV series Power in 2019 and had parts in Boardwalk Empire in 2011 and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit in 2009. He also records music under the name I$AIAH, according to IMBD. 

In his statement, he claims that the officer heard about his acting career from other inmates and staff, because it was not something he discussed. 

He faces a three-count indictment charging him with murder in the second degree and two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree. If convicted, Stokes faces up to 25-years-to-life in prison. 

Stokes is accused of firing at Jones 11 times after approaching his white rented Jeep Cherokee and shooting him multiple times in the face and head.

Surveillance footage allegedly shows Stokes walking past the driver's side window of the Jeep before doubling back, gunning down his victim and fleeing the scene.

The suspect was captured on separate footage getting into a rented Audi, which police say they tracked to a parking spot near Stokes' home.

Authorities have yet to confirm what they believe led to the slaying publicly, with sources close to Stokes saying the actor has 'no idea' who his alleged victim was. 

Stokes denies the charges against him.