As proceedings drew to a close in the attempted murder trial of Raekwon Newman on Feb. 17, the prosecution delivered closing arguments before jurors and Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Catherine Chen.
Newman, 30, is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, assault, conspiracy and multiple firearm offenses in connection to an April 10, 2025 double shooting incident that occurred outside Sun M Food Market on the 2600 block of Polk Street, near Montpelier Street. The afternoon shooting left two juveniles injured. One suffered a gunshot wound to his leg, while the other was shot in the rear by a bullet that traveled through his stomach.
The state’s closing argument began with the claim that Newman and the other suspect “went there because they intended to murder the two victims in this case.”
“It was premeditated, deliberate, and they intended to kill,” the state continued. “It is beyond mere preparation once you shoot your gun.”
According to a firearms’ expert, investigators believe three suspects were involved in the shooting, with two guns between them.
A Baltimore Police Department (BPD) crime lab technician who arrived at the scene around 4:30 p.m. recalled recovering several cartridge casings, a bloody jacket, a pair of sunglasses and two red dice that the teenaged victims had been gambling with among a group of other males in the area. Investigators also discovered ballistic damage at the nearby Wilson Park Church.
During cross-examination, defense attorney John Deros questioned the lack of fingerprint dusting conducted on recovered casings, as well as the lack of recovered firearms in the case. He later moved for an acquittal, stating, “I am wondering why Mr. Newman is even here.” Though he argued the evidence against his client was insufficient, Judge Chen found the state had met its burden and denied the acquittal motion.
As testimony continued, a Baltimore Police Department detective recalled responding to one of the victim’s homes approximately 10 minutes after the initial call. Upon arriving, he saw the victim on the porch with his leg soaked in blood and applied his own belt as a tourniquet.
On the stand, Newman told jurors he was a Northeast Baltimore native who worked as a landscaper and contractor. He advised that the day prior to the shooting, on April 9, 2025, he had visited a nearby liquor store on Greenmount Avenue to purchase alcohol for his younger brother’s birthday. While there, he was approached by several officers, who spoke with him to gain information about a fight that had occurred in the area. Newman was allegedly known by local police, who had a nickname for him.
After the Polk Street shooting occurred, detectives released flyers containing still photographs of the three suspects as part of their identification efforts. One of the officers who had spoken to Newman at the liquor store responded to the flyers, advising he recognized the defendant from the prior interactions and eventually leading to Newman’s arrest.
During Feb. 17 proceedings, jurors were also informed of a new plea offer from the state that consisted of 30 years, suspending 15, on one count of first-degree murder. Deros rejected the offer on behalf of his client.
Closing arguments continued into the evening. Jurors are set to deliberate through Feb. 18.
