A Baltimore City jury found 40-year-old Braxton Day not guilty of manslaughter and firearm use in a felony violent crime, but guilty of having a handgun on his person and possessing a firearm without a serial number.
The verdict was delivered June 17 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie J. Hong.
Day was charged in connection with the shooting death of 42-year-old Bryant Breland on May 31, 2025, following an altercation outside a Family Dollar store on the 600 block of Cherry Hill Road.
During trial, prosecutors argued that Day acted recklessly by carrying a firearm in public, despite claiming he had little experience with guns. The prosecution showed jurors surveillance footage of the incident, which showed a brief altercation outside the store before a shot was fired and Breland fell to the ground.
A Baltimore Police Department (BPD) detective also testified he arrived after receiving a call for a shooting and saw a man suffering from a gunshot wound on the ground while another officer performed chest compressions. The detective also testified that he located a handgun in an alley near the Family Dollar.
Defense attorney Maureen O’Leary argued that Day acted in self-defense. Day testified that Breland approached him outside the store and reached toward the gun in Day’s waistband during the altercation. Day told jurors he feared for his life, panicked and did not intend to shoot or kill Breland.
Day also testified that he found the gun about a week before the shooting inside a bag near train tracks. He said he did not report the firearm because he was afraid he would get in trouble and that people would not believe his explanation.
During closing arguments, prosecutors told jurors that Day was wrong for bringing a gun into what they described as a fist fight. Although the state acknowledged Breland was the initial aggressor, prosecutors argued Day’s decision to carry the gun and drink while armed showed reckless behavior.
The defense argued that the surveillance footage supported Day’s self-defense claim, pointing out that Breland threw punches and reached toward Day’s waistband. O’Leary said Day only fired one shot in response to an immediate threat.
After deliberations, jurors acquitted Day of manslaughter and firearm use in a felony violent crime but convicted him on the two firearm possession charges.
Day’s sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
