One of two men accused of robbing the American Wings & Pizza takeout restaurant in Baltimore’s Old Goucher neighborhood last New Year’s was convicted of all charges but one count of attempted murder on April 13.
Jurors reached their verdict within hours of closing arguments before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge LaZette C. Ringgold-Kirksey, finding 41-year-old Eddie Murphy guilty of attempted second-degree murder and multiple counts of first-degree assault, armed robbery, conspiracy and illegal firearm use.
Murphy and 45-year-old co-defendant Christopher Brigerman were initially charged for entering the restaurant on the 2400 block of St. Paul Street and demanding money from the storeowner, employees and customers. The heist left the owner with several gunshot wounds, for which he later transported himself to the hospital.
At trial, Brigerman testified against Murphy, claiming he was never closely acquainted with his accused co-conspirator and attributing his inconsistent testimony to ongoing drug use at the time of the incident. Though defense attorney Jason P. Rodriguez urged jurors to consider the discrepancies in Brigerman’s account and the lack of forensic evidence in the case, the panel ultimately sided with the state and convicted Murphy.
Murphy has yet to receive a date for sentencing.
