The murder trial of Timothy Knott began on Feb. 4 with prosecutors pointing to key evidence they claimed linked the 29-year-old defendant to the fatal shooting of 42-year-old Anthony Pearson.
Knott is charged with murder, assault and four firearms offenses in connection to the shooting, which occurred the morning of April 29, 2024 in Northwest Baltimore. Police responded to the 4700 block of Garrison Boulevard, where they located Pearson and an unnamed woman suffering from gunshot wounds. While the woman survived, Pearson succumbed to his injuries.
During opening remarks before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Robert K. Taylor, prosecutors informed jurors they would establish Knott’s guilt via surveillance footage, statements he gave to police and cellphone location data.
Surveillance footage in the area of Garrison Boulevard reportedly captured Knott parking a red 2003 Chrysler minivan near the scene and discharging a firearm before fleeing. A Baltimore Gas and Electric employee who witnessed the shooting is expected to testify later in trial proceedings.
Charging documents state that investigators connected Knott to the minivan using vehicle registration records and surveillance footage from Baltimore Police Department (BPD) aviation unit Foxtrot that captured the vehicle.
Prosecutors also highlighted taped statements Knott gave to detectives, in which he initially claimed his personal vehicle was at a repair shop and implied that mechanics employed there may have used it. He later allegedly confessed he was in possession of the vehicle that day and said he was its sole operator, as demonstrated in surveillance footage.
The defendant then shared his cellphone number with detectives, who used it to obtain location records that allegedly conflicted with his narrative. According to the state, the data placed Knott near Garrison Boulevard at the time of the murder and followed his path of escape.
Meanwhile, defense attorney Warren Brown advised jurors not to let assumptions sway them, reminding them of their duty to determine whether prosecutors could establish Knott’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The trial is set to continue Feb. 5 with witness testimony.
