Shopping Center Murder Trial Rescheduled for Fall

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Co-defendants, Daaon Spears, 19, and Bryan Johnson, 18, received a Sept. 30 trial date before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa K. Copeland on April 28 due to the prosecution’s ongoing medical issues.

Johnson’s and Spears’ case ended in a mistrial on Oct. 24, 2024 after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict.

Spears faces 31 charges, including two counts of first-degree murder and five counts each of attempted first-degree murder and firearm use in a felony or violent crime, as well as related firearm, assault, and conspiracy violations.

Johnson is charged with 30 counts, including multiple of first-degree murder, attempted first- and second-degree murder and assault, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and possession of a firearm as a minor.

The pair were charged for the Jan. 4, 2023, fatal shooting of 16-year-old Deanta Dorsey at the Edmondson Village Shopping Center in the 4400 block of Edmondson Avenue. Dorsey and four other Edmondson High School students were allegedly heading to a Popeye’s located in the shopping center, which is located across the street from their campus. Spears and Johnson allegedly opened fire at all five, but only Dorsey succumbed to his injuries.

Spears and Johnson were minors at the time of the incident.