Jurors and Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge LaZette Ringgold-Kirksey heard opening statements April 9 in the trial of 41-year-old who was one of two men accused of robbing a takeout restaurant at gunpoint last New Year’s Day.
Eddie Murphy is charged with attempted murder, assault and multiple firearm violations in connection to the incident, which occurred at American Wings & Pizza restaurant on the 2400 block of St. Paul Street. Charging documents state Murphy and another assailant identified as 45-year-old Christopher Brigerman, entered the establishment wearing masks. Murphy was allegedly carrying a gun.
The men reportedly demanded that the store’s owner give them all the money in the front register before ordering customers and employees to empty their pockets and hand over cash.
As those present began complying, the owner reportedly began struggling with Murphy over the gun, court documents state. During the altercation, the owner was shot twice in the head and once in the arm. Following the shooting, he transported himself to the hospital and received medical treatment for his injuries. Meanwhile, according to employees, the gunmen fled the scene.
During opening statements, the prosecution told jurors that footage from Baltimore CitiWatch cameras allowed detectives to retrace the pair’s steps and eventually identify Brigerman, who had removed his mask at a nearby store.
Brigerman was arrested on April 9, 2025, and confessed to his involvement in the armed robbery. According to the prosecution, he also identified Murphy as his accomplice.
“It will become clear that it is, in fact, Mr. Murphy on Jan. 1, 2025,” the prosecutor told jurors. “I am going to ask you to hold him accountable for his actions and find him guilty.”
Meanwhile, defense attorney Jason Rodriguez argued that the state lacked the physical evidence to connect Murphy to the crime. He urged jurors “to return the only proper verdict—not guilty.”
The trial is set to continue with witness testimonies on April 10.
