After being acquitted of one murder count in a dispute between a victim and members of a motorcycle club on March 23, Eric Kibler, 45, appeared in reception court before Judge Melissa K. Copeland on Oct. 16 for a new trial date.
The 44-year-old defendant originally faced 47 charges, including two counts of first-degree murder and 14 counts of first- and second-degree attempted murder as well as numerous assault and weapons charges for his alleged role in a mass shooting that left 36-year-old Anthony Martin dead and seven others injured.
He was convicted of having a handgun on his person and possessing a firearm with a prior felony conviction. For the rest of the indictment, Kibler was either acquitted or verdicts were not rendered.
During Friday’s reception court hearing, the prosecutor offered Kibler a deal to plead guilty to the remaining counts of a second first-degree murder charge as well as using a firearm in the commission of a crime of violence, first-degree assault and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.
The terms were a life sentence, suspending all but 45 years, and no parole for the first five years. On behalf of his client, attorney Tony Garcia opted to reject the deal in lieu of a trial.
The charges stem from an incident on Aug. 18, 2024, when Baltimore Eastern District Police responded to the Thunderguards motorcycle clubhouse on the 1300 block of Spring Street for a reported shooting. That night, the club was holding a memorial cookout to honor a member who recently died when the victim, Martin, allegedly parked his vehicle to play basketball at a nearby court with friends, sparking a confrontation.
Surveillance footage recovered during the investigation depicts a suspect, later identified by police as Kibler, standing in front of the victim and opening fire. The defense countered that’s not enough to prove Kibler was the shooter during the ensuing melee.
Parties agree to a six-day trial commencing on Jan. 26, 2027, before Judge Althea M. Handy.
