Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Michael A. DiPietro sentenced 35-year-old Trillion Bryant to life in prison following a Jan. 22 guilty verdict for attacking a man with a sword. The disposition came in a March 5 hearing.
Jurors found Bryant guilty of attempted first-degree murder and possession of a dangerous weapon with intent to injure for his role in an incident that occurred at the Lexington Market Metro Station located on the 300 block of W. Lexington Street.
“Today’s sentence ensures that the Defendant will be held fully accountable for an act of shocking and senseless violence. The survivor in this case endured a terrifying and deeply traumatic attack that nearly cost him his life,” said State’s Attorney Ivan J. Bates in a release.
According to charging documents, on Aug. 16, 2024, Maryland Transit police were alerted to a 43-year-old male victim suffering from a critical laceration, fracture to his forehead and severe cut to his hand. The victim was transported to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center for his life-threatening injuries.
Surveillance footage recovered by the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) shows the victim exiting a train, as Bryant, who apparently did not know him, blocked his path. The defendant followed the victim as he tried to exit the station, resulting in a brief confrontation. Bryant then produced a sword from his book bag and began striking the victim.
Despite his injuries, the victim was able to exit the station. The suspect was observed following the victim, but then walked the opposite direction before boarding a bus. Near the metal gate of a closed business on the 300 block of W. Lexington Street, police located the sword used during the attack concealed in a sheath.
At Bryant’s sentencing, the prosecution again stressed the brutal and unprovoked nature of the attack. In his impact statement, the victim explained that even 19 months later, he is still undergoing treatment for severe injuries.
Defense attorney James Sweeting III told Judge DiPietro that Bryant was suffering “psychotic episodes” around the time of the attack. Bryant reported that, because of psychological stress, he is unable to recall the events of that morning. Sweeting added that Bryant “has also struggled with substance abuse, which further complicated his already fragile mental state” and requested that the court impose a sentence not exceeding 20 years.
Ultimately, Judge DiPietro felt the severity of the crime warranted a life sentence.
