Closing arguments were heard June 30 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Charles H. Dorsey III in the joint murder trial of co-defendants Darius Bell, 33, and Joseph Hubbard, 35. In the end, the pair was acquitted of murder charges but convicted on gun violations.
Bell, represented by defense attorney Donald Wright, and Hubbard, represented by defense attorney Jason Ott, are charged in connection to the March 15, 2025 fatal shooting of 30-year-old Christopher Banks on the 5400 block of Park Heights Avenue.
During their final statement, the state said Banks would still be alive if not for the actions of both defendants. Prosecutors told jurors surveillance footage showed the pair acting together throughout the incident, alleging Bell retrieved a loaded firearm from a vehicle while Hubbard remained with Banks inside a convenience store. The state argued Banks repeatedly raised his hands and attempted to avoid confrontation while the defendants blocked the store’s entrance, preventing him from leaving.
Prosecutors maintained that after Bell disarmed Banks and took his firearm, the defendants continued the assault rather than ending the confrontation. The state argued surveillance footage showed Bell repeatedly striking Banks with the handgun before Hubbard fatally shot him. Prosecutors described the killing as a coordinated attack, arguing the defendants had multiple opportunities to walk away or contact police but instead “chose violence.”
The state also rejected claims that Bell randomly changed his phone number arguing it demonstrated consciousness of guilt, and told jurors the evidence proved both defendants acted together in committing the offenses.
Wright claimed the state failed to prove premeditated murder beyond a reasonable doubt. Wright maintained Banks entered the neighborhood carrying a handgun, knife and taser while threatening individuals inside the convenience store. He argued Bell was attempting to disarm Banks rather than rob or kill him and criticized investigators for what he described as confirmation bias and an incomplete investigation.
Wright further contended investigators failed to pursue additional witnesses or evidence that could have supported the defense, maintaining the state’s theory changed throughout the trial. He told jurors the surveillance footage failed to show the defendant intentionally pointing a firearm at Banks and claimed the confrontation resulted from Banks’ own actions. Wright concluded by asking jurors to return not guilty verdicts if they found any reasonable doubt.
Ott similarly argued the state failed to establish intent to kill. While acknowledging Hubbard illegally possessed firearms, Ott claimed his client acted out of necessity while attempting to protect Bell and others inside the store. He told jurors the fatal shot occurred accidentally during the struggle after Banks was disarmed, and criticized investigators for failing to conduct a complete investigation.
Ott also said the prosecution relied on a felony murder charge because it could not prove intent, and urged jurors to carefully review the surveillance footage during deliberations before returning not guilty verdicts.
In rebuttal, the state argued the defense improperly blamed Banks for his own death and maintained the evidence established both defendants acted together throughout the confrontation. Prosecutors submitted that they were not required to prove motive, only that the defendants committed the charged offenses, and urged jurors to find both men guilty on all counts.
Following closing arguments, the case was submitted to the jury for deliberations. Jurors later returned a mixed verdict, acquitting both Bell and Hubbard of the murder charges while convicting both defendants on multiple firearm-related offenses. The court also ordered a pre-sentence investigation for one of the defendants.
Sentencing is currently scheduled for Nov. 6 before Judge Dorsey.
