A woman convicted of killing a grandmother and wounding her grandchild, and another, after an argument over a middle school basketball game was sentenced to 150 years’ imprisonment in an emotional proceeding before Baltimore City Circuit Judge Dana Middleton on Oct. 13.
Cassandra McRae,37, was convicted on 15 counts in relation to the Jan. 22, 2025, murder conspiracy of 52-year-old school educator Antoinette Jennings and her granddaughter.
The charges included second-degree murder, four counts of conspiracy to commit murder, four counts of attempted murder in the second degree, five counts of use of a firearm in the commission of a felony or crime of violence, and reckless endangerment.
Co-defendant Tavon Singleton, 35, was acquitted on April 6 for lack of evidence.
“This defendant had no regard for human life. She orchestrated this whole shooting,” the prosecution argued before asking the court to impose a sentence of 295 years.
Defense attorney Michael Tomko rebutted by calling 295 a “ridiculous number”, with his hand placed on the defendant’s left shoulder. “There are members of her family who suffer from not having her, too; 25 years; I think it’s fair and sends a message.”
According to court documents, Jennings was fatally shot in her vehicle on the 5400 block of York Road following a dispute between her family and McRae on Jan. 22, 2025, after a middle school basketball game. Prosecutors argued that Jennings made several phone calls while following the victim’s vehicle after the dispute.
Surveillance footage then showed McRae moments later pointing at the victim’s vehicle while shouting, “There they go right there, there they go right there.” Shots were fired seconds later into the victim’s vehicle.
All suspects fled the scene.
Prior to sentencing, a defiant McRae told the court, “I have been wrongfully convicted on all charges. I’m innocent. I’m not a monster, not a murderer. I want justice for your family; I’m not the person justice is for.”
“She was my everything. I want justice for my grandmother, ” the wounded 11-year-old granddaughter of the victim said to the court.
Impact statements were also read by the victim’s husband and sister were also given in court.
“She was a teacher to the next generation. It all began at a middle school, which should have been a safe environment,” said the victim’s sister.
“Life ain’t the same,” said her husband.
Judge Middleton concluded by calling this incident a “tragedy”. “It started at a place where everyone should have been safe. One day, one decision changed the course of your life.”
Justifying the extraordinary sentence State’s Attorney Ivan Bates in a release said, “A sentence of 140 years reflects the devastating consequences of the defendant’s action.”
