The trial of Idris Ramos, 52, a man charged with first-degree murder and possession of a dangerous weapon, began before Judge Michael Anthony DiPietro the morning of March 6.
Charging documents state that on June 21, 2025, police responded to the 100 block of S. Broadway to find 39-year-old Tyrell Curtis unconscious with a stab wound. Medics attempted lifesaving measures on Curtis before he was rushed to John Hopkins Hospital and pronounced deceased.
On Friday, the defense moved to omit a 22-minute 911 call delivered the day of the shooting from trial. Though defense attorney Deborah Warner-Dennis argued it was vague, the prosecution retorted that the call would give jurors important context to the stabbing.
Judge Michael Anthony DiPietro ruled to allow the phone call into evidence.
Later, the prosecution moved to bring a DNA analyst into the courtroom, citing the defense’s plan to tell jurors that investigators failed to recover the victim’s DNA from the murder weapon. Judge DiPietro rejected the motion, telling the prosecution that their argument should account for the lack of evidence.
In their opening statement, the prosecution told jurors they could expect to see surveillance footage that, despite being rather blurry, supposedly captured Curtis covered in blood while walking away from an argument with Ramos.
“I will be asking that you give justice to Mr. Curtis and his family,” the prosecutor said.
Warner-Dennis explained to jurors that the stabbing occurred in a community with a large population of unhoused individuals, including the defendant. She described how members of the community often engage with each other in an abandoned school building, with many experiencing drug addictions.
“The evidence is not clear on who stabbed Mr. Curtis,” she said.
Though initial investigations led police to focus on Ramos as the prime suspect, Warner-Dennis emphasized that another man who is set to testify was also present during the stabbing.
The previously debated 911 call was then presented to the jurors. In it, a witness could be heard telling first responders that he administered CPR to Curtis, and asking for further instruction.
Later, while cross-examining a police sergeant who responded to the scene, Warner-Dennis asked why investigators neglected to canvas the area. The sergeant explained that he had been the only officer at the scene for approximately 20 minutes, and prioritized attempting lifesaving measures due to the lack of medics.
“Whether it’s 2 a..m or 8 a.m, you knock on doors,” the defense stated, explaining to jurors that if police wait too long, they could lose witnesses.
The trial will continue on March 9.
