Opening statements were heard May 28 in an East Baltimore double shooting trial, with 52-year-old defendant Deshaen Depaul Carroll opting to represent himself, also known as acting pro se, after having discharged his public defender several months prior.
Carroll faces double counts of attempted first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, and firearm use, as well as multiple related gun offenses for his alleged involvement in the shooting. Court documents state that around 10 p.m. on July 13, 2025, Carroll shot two men and left them bleeding on the 2000 blocks of Kennedy Avenue and Robb Street. He is also accused of opening fire at a group of bystanders who fled the scene following the initial discharging.
Before jurors were brought into the courtroom, Carroll voiced concerns to Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Catherine Chen regarding his lack of legal counsel. Carroll had discharged public defender Augustine Okeke in February while claiming the latter failed to provide thorough or responsible counsel.
On Thursday, Carroll claimed he was not properly advised about the process of securing representation, and asked the court to consider the position of a defendant stuck with “lazy” counsel who is “not doing their job.” Judge Chen advised that his decision to fire Okeke meant refusing the services of The Office of the Public Defender entirely. The responsibility to secure new counsel fell upon Carroll, she told the defendant.
The jury was brought in later that morning for opening statements. Shortly before, Judge Chen reminded Carroll he could not appeal to the panel’s sympathies by emphasizing his lack of representation.
Both the state and Carroll gave brief opening arguments.
The state’s attorney told jurors that neither shooting victim would be likely to testify at trial, but assured them, “The evidence is going to show you that Mr. Carroll is responsible.”
Meanwhile, Carroll asked jurors to “think outside the box a little” when taking in the evidence, and concluded by thanking them. “Just be fair,” he said.
The trial is ongoing, and will continue tomorrow with testimony from several witnesses from the state.
