Closing arguments got underway on Sept. 9 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Hope Tipton in a Springfield Avenue crime allegedly involving 34-year-old Reginald Raysor.
Raysor is charged with first-degree murder, armed robbery and firearm use in a felony or violent crime.
According to charging documents, on Sept 14, 2024, at approximately 11:34pm, an officer responded to the 1100 block of Springfield Avenue for a shooting. Upon arrival, he saw Reginald Bernard Harrod face down on the ground and suffering from a fatal gunshot wound.
Investigators believe he was approached by Reysor and an unknown suspect who tried to rob him, triggering a struggle and Harrod was shot.
A silver SUV was seen leaving the area shortly after the homicide. On Aug. 28, 2024, officers responded to 2400 Guilford Avenue after reports of gunfire. Upon arrival, officers were advised that the suspect was a black man wearing a white T-shirt, dread locs, and burns on his left hand. He fled in a silver SUV. Two .40-caliber casings were found on the scene.
One person was wounded. Police connected the casings from Springfield with the remnants found at Guilford Avenue.
Detectives interviewed an eyewitness and the victim from the Guilford Avenue incident. They described the suspect as a light-skinned male with long dreads and tattoos. Following a photo array, they identified a suspect said to be Raysor.
During the defense closing argument, attorney Jerry Rodriguez stated that the only incident that was of importance was that of Sept. 14. 2024. Adding that the state had very little evidence connecting Raysor to the incident. He said no DNA or fingerprints belonging to the defendant were recovered from the scene.
He also said police did not thoroughly investigate video from nearby cameras. “Don’t speculate for the state,” said Rodriguez, suggesting a conviction required the jury to go beyond the evidence presented.
In rebuttal the prosecutor said a satchel containing the defendant’s phone and a firearm was found by police and the casings recovered from the incident on Sept. 14 and Aug. 28. 2024 were consistent with the firearm found in the satchel.
Furthermore, he told jurors of an incident on Sept. 3 when Raysor allegedly said to a member of the victim’s family, “That’s why I killed your b**th ass father.”
Jury deliberations are expected shortly.
