The trial of Eddie Murphy, 41, concluded with Murphy’s testimony and closing statements on April 13 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge LaZette Ringgold-Kirksey.
Murphy is charged with attempted murder, assault, armed robbery and various firearm offenses in his connection to a Jan. 1 2025 shooting that occurred at the American Wings & Pizza restaurant on the 2400 block of St. Paul Street.
Charging documents allege Murphy entered the restaurant with co-conspirator Christopher Brigerman, 45, and pointed a gun at the store’s owner before demanding money from the owner, customers and employees. While others complied, the owner reportedly struggled with Murphy for control of the gun before being shot twice in the head and once in the arm.
On Monday, defense attorney Jason Rodriguez filed a motion to streamline jury instructions and request that certain charges be grouped together.
Murphy also asked Judge Ringgold-Kirksey that his prior gun conviction, which prohibited him from possessing a gun at the time of the restaurant robbery, not be mentioned before the jury. Though he attempted to cite the law, Judge Ringgold-Kirksey corrected him.
“What I’m trying to tell you as someone with a black robe on and a law degree,” Judge Ringgold-Kirksey responded, “[is that] you’re misunderstanding the law.” She explained, after numerous interruptions from Murphy, that the law allows the prosecution to mention prior convictions, but not the details of the previous case.
After the jurors entered the courtroom, Murphy testified he did not know Brigerman prior to being incarcerated, had never taken drugs and had never been to the American Wings & Pizza restaurant.
During cross-examination, Murphy identified himself in a criminal mugshot and admitted he had a prior conviction for firearm use.
Murphy also stated he was already incarcerated when he was charged with the crime, but later admitted he remembered getting arrested outside a vacant home that he claimed belonged to a friend.
Despite repeated questions from the state regarding his relationship with Brigerman, Murphy continued to reply, “I don’t concern myself with him.”
“That’s not my question,” the state responded, urging Murphy to give a yes or no response. Questioning grew tense as the defendant repeatedly defied the interrogation.
Murphy later admitted that he did not remember their first interaction, but said he got into a physical altercation with Brigerman and his “Muslim gang” the first day of his trial. He denied instigating the fight.
During closing statements, the state’s attorney explained that Murphy’s actions while discharging the gun demonstrated clear intent to kill the storeowner. After firing one round, he reportedly took a brief pause before shooting three more times at the victim’s head.
Despite Brigerman’s testimony the day prior that he was under the influence of drugs during the shooting, the prosecution noted his testimony was consistent with those of the victims.
“I submit to you that Mr. Brigerman’s testimony was believable,” the state’s attorney said, adding that Brigerman’s deal with the state upheld him to the truth. She also noted that while Brigerman has nothing to gain from lying, Murphy has everything to gain.
“When you put Mr. Brigerman’s testimony next to the defendant’s, you can tell who’s telling the truth,” the prosecution said.
Rodriguez started his closing argument by claiming investigators failed to conduct DNA or fingerprint testing on the handgun, casings or a baseball cap obtained from the scene.
“It doesn’t add up, it doesn’t make sense,” he said regarding the lack of forensic evidence.
Rodriguez emphasized that Brigerman’s testimony is “absolutely not credible” due to him being so intoxicated during the incident that he failed to remember entering a nearby liquor store and asking for a napkin for his bleeding head.
He added that when asked by police to provide identifying information for his co-conspirator, Brigerman failed to provide even a name until later, when shown a still shot of the suspect taken from surveillance footage. Brigerman then positively identified Murphy as the suspect, calling him “E.”
Rodriguez continued to emphasize inconsistencies in Brigerman’s testimony and urged jurors to acquit Murphy of all counts.
Jurors are now in deliberation.
