After a guilty verdict in April, 38-year-old Everett Schwartz was sentenced to the maximum penalty by Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Alan C. Lazerow for the first-degree murder of Timothy Orem, 34.
Schwartz was also found guilty on charges of firearm use, having a handgun on his person, and firearm possession as a prohibited person. The charges are in connection to the fatal shooting of Orem on the night of Feb. 1, 2021, on the 3600 block of Shelby Avenue.
According to charging documents, Schwartz was identified through video footage fleeing the scene after shooting Orem multiple times until he collapsed and was left dying in the street. The victim was pronounced deceased from gunshot wounds to his torso.
During the disposition, the state urged the maximum punishment of life plus 38 years, the first 10 years without the possibility of parole. This would run consecutive to the sentences Schwartz is also facing for the murder of Tavaughn Anderson, 46, and a non-fatal shooting that occurred within one week of each other in Jan., 2021.
The state emphasized the defendant’s violent criminal history, including his ongoing sentences and that he allegedly stabbed his cell-mate in May during a jailhouse altercation. Additionally, the state declared it “impossible to find motive” for these crimes, suggesting that Schwartz is a violent individual acting with little or no reason and “a threat to public safety”.
Representing himself after firing his attorney during trial, Schwartz told Judge Lazerow that he had no way to prepare for sentencing and did not have access to the law library while incarcerated.
He emphasized his mental health crises and episodes, as well as the lack of treatment provided to him in prison. The defendant also repeatedly told the Judge that he wants a pre-sentence investigation, which Judge Lazerow rejected. Schwartz claimed that his right to a fair trial was violated and motioned for a new trial, which the judge rejected.
Judge Lazerow informed Schwartz of his post-sentencing rights and then concluded that the maximum sentence of life plus 38 years would be imposed. Schwartz remains in jail.
