Parties presented their closing arguments before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lynn S. Mays Sept. 8 in the trial of Darren Tomlinson. The prosecution argued that the evidence connected Tomlinson to a murder while the defense argued that there was insufficient proof he was involved.
Tomlinson, 32, is charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault and multiple firearm-related offenses in connection with the Jan. 19, 2025, shooting that killed 43-year-old Hassan Howard and injured another man.
According to court documents, officers recovered 34 9mm shell casings and two projectiles from the primary crime scene located on the 400 block of Washburn Avenue.
Tomlinson was charged alongside his brother, Dylon Tomlinson, with the murder but the prosecutoin dismissed that case admitting they couldn’t proceed following an April trial.
The prosecutor pointed out there were shell casings, the defendant’s phone, and what was likely his DNA at the scene. There was also video footage of the shooting, which the prosecutor claimed was the defendant though he wasn’t clearly visible.
Howard sustained 23 gunshot wounds. The other victim called 911, saying that he and his best friend had been shot. The prosecutor said that Howard shot his gun in self-defense.
Defense attorney, Willaim Porter, claimed Tomlinson had no motive to kill Howard. Porter said the the video was the only piece of evidence that could tie Tomlinson to the scene and it was questionable. .
Porter also argued that no witnesses witnesses that could identify Tomlinson.
During her rebuttal, the prosecutor claimed that the defendant got rid and the gun and a distinctive jacket he was wearing. She also argued that the defendant wanted Howard dead even if the exact motive remains unknown.
The jury is set to deliberate the case.
