Baltimore Man Sentenced to Life for 2023 Cherry Hill Murder

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The Independent Investigations Division (IID) of the Maryland Office of the Attorney General announced the sentencing of Baltimore man Parris Harris, 20, for the first-degree murder of Desmond Gardner on Jan 26, 2023. Gardner, 27, was murdered while on his way to visit his young daughter during his lunch break from work. Harris was convicted following a three-day jury trial that concluded July 12, 2024.

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Timothy J. Doory sentenced Harris to life plus 15 years, exceeding the sentencing guidelines. The prosecution argued at sentencing that Harris was one of three individuals who approached an unarmed victim and shot him several times in the back and head. They further argued that Harris’s actions demonstrated a “callous disregard for the value of human life.”

Before issuing a sentence, the court heard from two members of the victim’s family who shared the “tremendous amount of pain” that this loss caused for their family.

Andrew Curry, 24, of Baltimore City, is also charged with the murder of Gardner and is scheduled for trial June 13.

Attorney General Anthony G. Brown thanked his Criminal Division, specifically Division Chief Katie Dorian, Organized Crime Unit Chief Paul Halliday, and Assistant Attorney General Pilar Rodarte, who prosecuted the case. He also thanked Baltimore Police Department Commissioner Richard Worley, FBI Baltimore Special Agent in Charge William DelBagno, Baltimore County Police Chief Robert McCullough, and the detectives and agents who worked tirelessly on this case. Additionally, he thanked State’s Attorney for Baltimore City Ivan J. Bates for his office’s assistance in this case.