14-Year-Old Denied Bail for Fatal Shooting

By Andrew Michaels - September 16, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Juveniles | Shooting | Victims |

A 14-year-old boy charged with the fatal shooting of a 15-year-old boy earlier this year was denied bail on Sept. 16 at Baltimore City Circuit Court.

Damonyae Malone is being charged as an adult for first-degree murder and firearm use in a violent crime for the death of Jaileel Jones on March 4. Defense attorneys Sasha Garcon and Jennifer Davis represented Malone during Thursday’s bail hearing.

Garcon informed Judge Cynthia H. Jones that Malone, who is diagnosed with ADHD and schizophrenia, has no prior history with the juvenile system. The defendant has earned several certificates and awards while incarcerated at the juvenile detention center in addition to attending therapy.

Defense counsel recommended Malone be released on home detention.

The prosecution informed the court that on March 4, Jones was hanging out with friends, some of whom were young children. Malone allegedly knocked on the front door of the home and was asked to leave but walked inside and went upstairs for 10 to 15 minutes.

When Malone came back downstairs, the prosecutor said, he looked at Jones and said, “What did you say?” Jones responded that he wasn’t talking to Malone and looked down at his phone when the defendant allegedly shot Jones in the head.

Jones was sitting next to a young child when the shooting happened, the prosecutor said, and there were two eye witnesses who confirmed what happened.

Garcon countered that Malone and Jones were tussling on the ground and a gun went off.

Baltimore Police Detective Donny Moses told CBS Baltimore that Malone was arguing with Jones when the shooting occurred. Officers who were called to the 5100 block of Chalgrove Avenue found Jones on a couch in the living room.

Judge Jones gave Malone an opportunity to speak, during which he said he is going to school and getting good grades.

“I’m trying to get home,” he said.

Judge Jones denied Malone bail given the seriousness of the allegations.