Jurors delivered a guilty verdict of homicide, as well as other charges, against Bishop Chance, 19, on April 28.
The decision came one day after counsel rested their cases and gave closing arguments before the jury and Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie J. Hong. Chance, who was represented by defense attorney Staci Pipkin, was ultimately found guilty on double counts of first-degree murder and firearm use, and single counts of first-degree assault and possession of a firearm as a minor. Meanwhile, he was acquitted on charges of conspiracy and attempted first-degree murder.
Chance’s charges stemmed from the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Theodore Burrell and the attempted murder of another man at the Westside Shopping Center on July 16, 2024.. His co-defendant, 20-year-old Gregory Whitfield, faces similar charges, but will be tried separately.
Evidence presented at trial showed two suspects arriving at and leaving the scene in a light-colored Infiniti sedan. One of the shooters was struck by gunfire. The getaway driver also ran a red light, causing an accident that disabled the car.
Chance was later seen pulling the suspect vehicle into MedStar Harbor Hospital, where investigators later learned he had been shot in the leg by friendly fire. Detectives also recovered traces of Burrell’s blood in the car.
During the closing arguments, the prosecutor argued that “a bullet in the leg wasn’t going to stop Bishop Chance from achieving his goal.”
Data extracted from Chance’s phone, which was found in his girlfriend’s purse, revealed conversations between himself and other suspects. Investigators also noticed Chance’s sneakers seemed to match those worn by one of the shooters.
“He was going to murder Theodore Burrell,” the state’s attorney told jurors.
Meanwhile, Pipkin maintained that she “didn’t feel anyone could accurately answer who committed the shooting.” She noted officers were unable to secure testimony from the surviving victim.
In rebuttal, the state contended that nothing about the incident was coincidental, and that the suspects’ actions ultimately culminated in Burrell’s death.
Chance now awaits sentencing, which is set to proceed Aug. 19 before Judge Hong.
