Teen Receives Life Sentence for 'Disgusting Execution'

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During a July 12 disposition hearing, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy sentenced 18-year-old Deonte Price to life in prison for his role in what the prosecution called the “disgusting execution” of 19-year-old Debrae Edwards in 2023.

For his involvement in the May 19, 2023 incident, Price was charged with two counts each of first-degree murder and firearm use in a violent crime, as well as single counts of attempted first-degree murder and several related conspiracy and firearm violations. Edwards was pronounced deceased two days after the shooting, and another sustained non-fatal injuries. Price was found guilty of all charges save attempted first-degree murder.

According to charging documents, at approximately 8:44 p.m. the day of the incident, Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers responded to the 200 block of East Street. Upon arrival, they observed Edwards suffering a gunshot wound to his head, and an unnamed man suffering one to his arm.

Evidence recovered from the crime scene included the second victim’s vehicle, a .40-caliber handgun, and several .40-caliber and 9mm casings. Area surveillance footage showed the unnamed victim exiting his own car and following Edwards’ as Edwards backed it into the intersection of East Street and St. Matthews Street.

The unnamed victim then approached a group of men on the corner of East Street, disappearing from the frame before re-entering shortly after with Price. As Edwards opened the passenger side door of the unnamed victim’s car, Price opened fire upon him. Edwards attempted to flee, but crashed his vehicle into a nearby rowhome. Officers in the area spotted Price fleeing the scene and gave chase before later arresting him.

The prosecution argued for the maximum possible sentence of life plus 80 years, calling the murder a “disgusting execution” and urging Judge Handy’s to mete out a sentence that can serve as an example and deterrence against violent crime in Baltimore City. He called Price “completely delusional” for his refusal to take responsibility for the crime.

Defense attorney Roland Brown attempted to draw a parallel between Edwards and Price, saying their respective backgrounds create“a mirror image.” He asked for a total sentence of 20 years, emphasizing Price was only 16 years old at the time of the crime. He pleaded with the court not to “throw this young man away.” He refuted the claim that his client failed to take responsibility, noting Price previously wrote messages of condolence to Edwards and his family.

The mothers of Edwards and the unnamed victim spoke at the hearing, both telling similarly emotional stories about how their sons, whom both mothers considered their best friends, provided great amounts of aid to their respective families. Edwards’ mother also noted her son’s father died two months after the fatal shooting.

Judge Handy shot back at Brown’s claims that the two mothers experienced similar losses, noting that one’s child is still alive

“It is not the exact same thing,” Handy told Brown.

Price was ultimately sentenced to life plus 40 years, the first 10 years to be served without possible parole.

Teen Receives Life Sentence for ‘Disgusting Execution’