Jurors heard from detectives, police officers, and crime analysts on Sept. 29 as the prosecution continued presenting evidence in the shooting case against Dionte Cain.
There was also tearful testimony from the victim who described the trauma of the event and its lasting impact on his life.
According to court documents, a senior citizen was shot in an attempted robbery on April 2, 2024, while sitting in his vehicle on the 3900 block of Greenmount Avenue. Prosecutors allege Cain, 31, approached the victim after exiting a burgundy Acura MDX and opened fire before fleeing with another man, later identified as 29-year-old Darnell Johnson, charged as a co-conspirator.
Cain is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, armed robbery, firearm use in a felony violent crime, reckless endangerment, and multiple conspiracy and gun violations.
Confined to a wheelchair and testifying in tears, the 78-year-old victim described himself as a man of God, well known for his neighborhood involvement on the 5300 block of York Road.
As the incident unfolded he said he was trying to go home to his family when a suspect later identified as Cain approached his truck brandishing a gun in an attempted robbery. Fearing for his life the victim attempted to back out of a parking lot, but the suspect grabbed the steering wheel, essentially trapping the victim.
In the melee, the victim said Cain shot his left arm with the bullet traveling through his right thigh–excruciating injuries that required immediate hospitalization.
Managing to escape the shooting he began driving erratically, ultimately passing out before crashing into a car. A young woman noticed the accident, intervened, and applied mouth-to-mouth resuscitation before medical help arrived.
The victim was questioned by detectives at the hospital and gave what he said is an accurate description of his assailant, said to be Cain, who he recognized from the neighborhood.
Even months after the shooting, the victim says life isn’t back to normal. His pinky and ring finger still do not move, and it is difficult for him to hold items with his left hand. Nonetheless, he remains committed to continuing his good work on behalf of his neighbors.
Detectives testified that two handguns — a Polymer 80 and a Glock 17 — were recovered after the incident, along with ammunition, magazines, a knife, and suspected drugs. One detective told jurors the defendant fled from the passenger side of the Acura MDX before being detained. Photos of the arrest were shown to the jury.
A police sergeant testified he saw the defendant with a gun in his hand while chasing him into a park. He said the magazine fell during the chase and that the gun, later identified as a Polymer 80, was recovered from a trash can. He identified the defendant in court as one of the men inside the Acura.
Forensic scientists confirmed both firearms were operable and test-fired without issue. Another firearms examiner testified that one of the bullets was consistent with being fired from a Polymer 80, but excluded it from being fired from the Glock.
During cross-examination, defense attorney Natalie Finegar questioned why the expert firearms examiner tossed the cartridge casings after testing. The examiner explained that cartridge casings produced during test firing are routinely discarded.
“I didn’t destroy anything,” the expert asserted when pressed by the prosecution about whether evidence had been destroyed.Testimony is expected to continue Oct. 2 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Kimberly C. McBride.
Liya Osiyemi and Aubrey Mbimba wrote this article
