After closing arguments concluded before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Michael A. DiPietro on Oct. 30, jurors found Anthony Meredith, Jr., 46, not guilty of first-degree assault and firearm use, but guilty of reckless endangerment and five firearm charges.
According to charging documents, officers responded on Jan. 12 to reports of gunfire on the 5400 block of Clover Road, where they found a woman suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg after an argument broke out. She was transported to Sinai Hospital for treatment.
Early testimony from a state detective revealed that four shell casings were recovered from the front yard of the Clover Road residence where the incident unfolded, although the statement of charges indicate that there were two shell casings found. However, investigators were unable to recover video evidence or fingerprints. The detective admitted that no arrest warrant was issued after the shooting due to a lack of evidence and consistent witness testimony.
When Meredith took the stand, he described the incident as a family matter that spiralled out of control. He denied being inebriated and claimed that his 28-year-old son was the one who instigated the incident. Meredith admitted to possessing a .40-caliber handgun despite being prohibited from owning one, citing self-defense as the reason. After further questioning, he also conceded that he had hid the weapon for several weeks and avoided the police.
During closings, defense attorney Matthew Connell argued that Meredith never intended to harm anyone and that the events leading up to the shooting were unclear. Connell also stressed the fact that no witnesses directly testified against Meredith, and no clear motive was established for the shooting.
The prosecution countered that intent could be inferred from Meredith’s alleged actions; he reportedly walked outside to confront his son and fired multiple shots while family and children were close by, demonstrating reckless and dangerous behavior.
In the end, the jury sided with the defense and were unable to deem Meredith guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
