Woman's Relationship With Victim at Issue in Shooting Trial

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The state of an attempted murder victim’s romantic relationship was in dispute during a trial on Aug. 6.

Juan Jamal Foster, 44, is charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, reckless endangerment, firearm use in a felony violent crime, possession of a firearm with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a firearm, firearm possession with a drug conviction, having a handgun on his person, having a handgun in a vehicle and discharging firearms for a shooting on the 3800 block of Tivoly Avenue on May 11, 2022

The victim testified about his on-and-off his relationship with his partner, the mother of his children, who was also romantically involved with Foster. When she came home after a week away, the victim decided to go shopping while she watched the kids.

However when the victim left he heard music coming from his partner’s car. He approached the vehicle and said he saw a bald black man with a goatee pointing a gun at him. The two briefly exchanged words and the suspect, identified as Foster, fired three rounds at the victim.

One pierced the victim’s thighbone and he said he attempted to crawl back to his home. Then he told his partner to call the police, but “she was shushing me” instead of trying to get help, and neighbors eventually notified the authorities.

“If you want to know the definition of senseless violence,” the prosecution said, alluding to images of the victim’s suffering from his wounds while in the hospital, “this is it.”

In response, attorney Derrick G. Hamlin discussed a photo array presented to the victim by police several days after the incident in which he incorrectly the shooter. Hamlin said that calls into question the accuracy of the victim’s memory.

Additionally, he raised further questions about the nature of the relationship between the victim and his on-and-off partner. Whether they were truly already separated at the time of the shooting or if the woman was “cheating” on the victim with Foster as stated in a police report.

Testimony will continue on Aug 7 in front of Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannine J. Hong.

Woman’s Relationship With Victim at Issue in Shooting Trial