‘He Wanted to Be the Judge, Jury, and Executioner,’ Prosecutor Argues in Closing Statements

By Ziqi Zhou - October 28, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Counsel debated Oct. 28 whether a murder defendant acted in imperfect self-defense during closing statements before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy.

Darius Daye, 21, faces first-degree murder and firearm use in a felony violent crime for an incident on the 5200 block of Fairlawn Avenue.

According to the prosecution, Daye allegedly worked in an auto repair shop as a security guard. On the night of Jan. 4,  Charlie Cameron and Dequan Thomas, and Willie Cameron, Jr. entered the store and shot Daye’s co-worker. Daye shot and killed the three.  

During the closing statement, the prosecution argued that Daye had the opportunity to retreat but instead chose to kill three people.

He knocked away Thomas’s gun and allegedly exchanged fire with Charlie inside the store, after shooting Thomas, he followed Charlie’s vehicle and shot him 11 times, the prosecutor said. 

Thomas, Willie and Charlie Cameron were pronounced dead at an area hospital. 

According to the prosecution, Daye’s action was beyond self-defense, suggesting he was seeking revenge.

“He wanted to be the judge, jury and executioner.” the prosecutor said. 

Daye’s defense attorney, Chris Purpura, argued that Daye was reasonable in his actions and justified under threat, “He ended the threat by killing them.”

Purpura noted that Charlie was in home detention during the incident. He allegedly put a gun on Daye’s co-worker’s head, their intention was to kill. 

Purpura told the jury that Daye contacted 911 as he drove his co-worker to the hospital. He was cooperative and provided his gun to the police, Purpura said. 

The parties also debated the number of intruders. The prosecution said there were three bodies on the scene, but Purpura stated all witnesses mentioned there were only two individuals who came to the store.