Charlotte mother fears a potential plea deal for the man connected to her son’s disappearance

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The man who police say confessed to throwing an acquittance body in a dumpster could get a plea deal. The mother of the victim says she is in disbelief.

It has been 11 months since Andy Tench was last seen. D’Shaun Robinson is the man who police say confessed to throwing Tench’s body into a dumpster. Robinson claimed to investigators that Tench died while the two were having sex, and instead of reporting the death Robinson chose to dump Tench’s body. Investigators searched that same dumpster but it was empty. Police say there is not enough evidence available to warrant a search of the landfill. Tench’s mother, Tracie Blanton, is still begging someone to search the landfill in hopes of locating her son.

“I never have no peace until he’s found or until that search. I have nightmares of him up under all that trash,” Blanton said.

Prosecutors have now offered Robinson a 17-month plea agreement. Blanton is shocked and hopes the deal won’t hold up in front of a judge on March 4 when Robinson is scheduled for an arraignment. “Andy deserved so much more. Andy deserves justice,” Blanton said.

Prosecutors could charge Robinson with failure to report a death and burglary, after investigators found he used Tench’s card. Robinson feels the charges are not severe enough and instead wants to see a murder charge and trial.

“Don’t offer a plea bargain. Take him to court. You know, we’re willing to risk whatever. Take him to court,” Blanton said.

Blanton plans to be in the room for Robinson’s arraignment. She believes it will be difficult to face Robinson but wants to be there in hopes of urging the judge to not accept the plea agreement. Blanton hopes others who loved her son will also show up to support the family.