Child Murder Convict Seeks Retrial, Citing Disputed Evidence

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Defense counsel moved for a writ of innocence for a child murder defendant on July 24, with the aim of securing a retrial. Reginald Love, 37, was convicted in 2016 for the murder of 1-year-old Carter Scott and the attempted murder of the child’s father three years prior. He was sentenced to life plus 150 years for his crimes.

Love was one among five men to spray the car of Scott’s father with bullets on May 24, 2013, while on the 1200 block of Cherry Hill Road. Scott’s father was believed to be the target of the shooting, while the child was sitting in the vehicle.

Defense attorney Elizabeth Franzoso pointed to numerous scientific studies that challenge matches between bullets and guns used in shooting crimes.

Franzoso argued that the jury in Love’s two cases decided Love’s guilt based on testimony expert witnesses who linked Love to the killings despite the fact that Love’s DNA was not found on the murder weapon.

Instead, Love’s DNA was reportedly found on multiple pieces of clothing that were left at the scene, including a pair of gloves and a hat. Love’s was the only DNA recovered from the crime.

Franzoso claimed the evidence could only prove Love’s presence at the scene, but not that he was one of the individuals who shot the gun.

However, the prosecution rebutted that the DNA evidence was both reliable and relevant to proving Love’s guilt.

The prosecution further noted Love made incriminating statements in a letter to an unnamed individual following the shooting, stating they “didn’t mean to kill the baby.”

The gun allegedly used in the crime was also recovered from Love’s house.

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lawrence P. Fletcher-Hill stated he plans to deliver a written decision within several days.