Failed Photo IDs, Other Motives in 2020 Murder Favor Defendant, Defense Argues

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At the start of Jermaine Sanders’ trial on Jan. 13, defense counsel pointed the finger at another possible suspect in the murder of 30-year-old Kimberly McCubbin. At the same time he reminded jurors of the three witnesses who did not identify his client during photo arrays presented by Baltimore Police.

Sanders is currently on trial for first-degree murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, first-degree assault and five weapons charges in connection to the fatal shooting nearly four years ago on March 29, 2020. Defense attorney Donald Wright is representing the 33-year-old defendant as he stands trial before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lawrence R. Daniels.

According to the prosecution, McCubbin fell on hard times at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic and was selling the prescription pain killer Percocet on the street. The victim was called to the 500 block of North Curley Street for a sale and was shot in the neck and hand after the suspect got into the rear passenger seat of her vehicle.

Another man—acting as McCubbin’s “muscle,” according to defense—was also inside the victim’s vehicle in the front passenger seat at the time of the shooting and heard the call between McCubbin and the suspect.

During their investigation, police identified Sanders as a suspect based on the defendant’s cell phone records as well as his DNA and fingerprints, which were found at the scene. However, in his opening statement, Wright informed the jury of three witnesses none of whom did identified Sanders as the shooter during police photo arrays. These witnesses included the man inside McCubbin’s car before the shooting.

Wright noted police learned McCubbin was possibly selling fake Percocet and stole from a dice game, both of which could have been motives. There was also another suspect who allegedly tried to rob the victim a week before she was killed.

“The more we dig into this case, the further we get away from Jermaine Sanders,” Wright said.

Sanders’ trial is currently scheduled through Jan. 21.