After four days of testimony, Davahughn Johnson, 32, was found guilty of first-degree murder on Oct. 19 following a brief jury deliberation before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Michael DiPietro.
Johnson was charged with first-degree murder and several firearm related charges. They are in connection to the murder of Charles Brothers, 32, who was found on the 1000 block of Light Street with a gunshot wound to the head.
In closing, the prosecution stated that Brothers had “spent his thirty-second birthday lying in a morgue”. They highlighted evidence presented by witness testimony, medical examiner, as well as a security officer, neighbors, and detectives.
Additionally, the prosecution stated that surveillance footage perfectly constructed a timeline of events before the shooting. They also emphasized testimony from the defendant’s girlfriend, who was with him at the time of the incident and identified him in the footage. Finally, the prosecution concluded that Johnson had several minutes to make a decision and drive away from the scene before committing the murder.
During his closing argument, defense attorney Avrohom Greenfield claimed that the defendant was a victim of an ongoing robbery and acted in self-defense. He stated the prosecution failed to address audio from surveillance footage, in which the phrase, “I’ll bust your head in” was allegedly said by the victim. He also asserted that Brothers had a knife in his pocket, which he claims was used to threaten the defendant.
Greenfield also argued against the idea that the defendant could have driven away, and claimed that Johnson was frightened because Brothers was at the exit of the location with a weapon. He stated that the defendant is “lucky to come out without any damage to himself”, claiming that Brothers approached Johnson with aggression and “ill intent”. He proclaimed that the state put forth an “awful investigation” that does not satisfy any standard of proof.
In a rebuttal, the prosecution described how Johnson slowly approached the victim from behind and shot him while he was distracted by a phone call and urinating near a dumpster. Arguing that there is no evidence of a robbery, they reasoned that the defendant’s girlfriend would have remembered feeling scared to leave for several minutes if a robbery was occurring. The prosecutor also asked jurors why someone intending to commit a robbery would take a moment to relieve themselves at the scene.
Ultimately, the prosecution argued that the surveillance footage, actions of those involved, and witness testimony did not support claims of robbery or self-defense.
After deliberating, the jury quickly reached a verdict, finding Johnson guilty of first-degree murder and use of a firearm during a violent crime.
Johnson’s sentencing is scheduled before Judge DiPietro in Feb. 2027.
