Jurors heard police and forensic testimony on Oct. 2 in the murder trial of Darius Williams, who is accused of fatally stabbing Eric Jones in West Baltimore over five years ago.
Williams, 37, is charged with first-degree murder in connection to the June 25, 2020, homicide of Jones, 49, who was stabbed more than 20 times on the 2300 block of Westwood Avenue.
A detective from the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) testified that he arrived at the scene around 7 p.m. and found the victim’s shoes, cellphone, hat, and clothing. He revealed that no evidence from the suspect was recovered.
The prosecution presented the court with surveillance footage from Baltimore CitiWatch cameras that showed the victim being chased. The detective told jurors that none of the three people visible in these videos were identified or interviewed.
The prosecution also showed a 2021 interview with Williams and the detective. Williams told police he did not know the victim and denied that the phone number recovered during the investigation belonged to him.
“I don’t know that guy,” Williams declared when asked about Jones.
A forensic scientist stated that she examined DNA taken from Jones’ neck, hands, and fingernails. She noted that all samples produced Williams’ DNA as a major contributor.
During cross-examination, the defense emphasized that an eyewitness initially failed to positively identify Williams from a photographic array, and investigators failed to recover any phone records linking Jones to Williams.
The trial is expected to continue Oct. 3 with additional witness testimony before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Barry G. Williams.
