A pre-trial motions hearing for a homicide that occurred on Jan 12. 2024, was held on Oct. 1 in Baltimore City Circuit Court in front of Judge Cynthia Jones, for co-defendants James Hammond, 43, and Lakeem Whitaker 29.
They are both charged with first-degree murder, the use of a firearm in the commission of a violent felony, and other weapons charges, for the alleged murder of Deon Beasley, 36, that occurred in a beauty salon and barbershop located on the 1800 block of Washington Boulevard.
According to charging documents, the co-defendants conspired with two other individuals to locate the victim, and were picked up in a silver Honda Odyssey, and dropped off at the barbershop in order to commit the shooting.
Two masked individuals purported to be the co-defendants, exited the vehicle and walked directly to the barbershop where they shot the victim, who later succumbed to his injuries at the University of Maryland Shock Trauma.
Those co-defendants, Jarvis Joyner, 35, and Terrill Barfield, 40, were picked up in the Honda Odyssey as they circled the vicinity of the barbershop looking to pick up Hammond and Whittaker and fled the scene. Both were found guilty of first-degree murder for their involvement in the homicide.
At their pre-trial hearing, multiple motions were brought forward by defense counsel Michelle Gabrielle, and Augustine Okeke including an order to exclude a prior conviction in the case of Hammond, as well as excluding DNA evidence, and finally a jail call made by Whittaker.
Counsel argued in all motions that the evidence to be presented by the state was unfairly prejudicial to their clients, compared to any probative value that they may bring forward for the jury. Judge Jones denied these motions, arguing that the probative value of evidence brought forth outweighed the disadvantage the defendants, and that questions regarding DNA evidence could be handled by defense counsel during the cross-examination portion of the trial.
The prosecutor recalled the case and read out the potential plea deal for each defendant, which amounted to life, suspend all but 60 years, with the first five being without the chance of parole, and following release, by five years of supervised probation. Both defendants rejected the plea deal and asserted their right to a jury trial.
Jury selection was scheduled on Oct. 1, and the trial tentatively expected to begin on Oct 5.
The defendant’s family was present in court, with both defendants turning to acknowledge them at times during proceedings.
