Defense Says Murder Victim Had Violent Intent

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Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Alan C. Lazerow presided over the trial of a 33-year-old murder’s defendant’s trial on Oct. 23.

Martez Brooks is charged with first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony-violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction and carrying and transporting a handgun. Brooks allegedly took the life of 42-year-old Leroy Jeter III in connection to a July 4, 2022 incident.

During closing statements the prosecutor asked the jury to consider the defendant’s running towards the crime scene, being present before the killing took place, and after allegedly running toward the victim.

Footage shows an individual identified as Brooks leaving a liquor store wearing a hat, a hoodie, and tennis shoes around one a.m. the day of the crime. About two hours later, he is allegedly seen outside a church right next to the crime scene. In the footage.

Detectives recovered a hat from the scene that looked similar to the hat in the footage. Brook’s DNA was allegedly found inside the hat.

Defense attorney Robert Cole’s closing statement focused on the nature of the victim.

He said he wanted to show who Jeter actually was.

The defense claimed Jeter had a firearm loaded and ready to go. He said the gun had been fired 11 times.

Cole said that Jeter’s autopsy. showed there were no drugs in his system. However, he had drugs on him that he was ready to sell, the defense attorney said.

The defense also said Jeter had a violent histor was stabbed months before on March 19.

Furthermore, Cole said there was no security footage of the incident itself but only the sound of firearms.

The defense suggested someone else could have driven by and the occupant could have gotten into an argument with Jeter and shot him.

The defense also questioned the time it took the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) to collect the evidence, which allegedly was not immediately secured after the shooting. Anything could have happened to the evidence, Cole said.