A jury found 55-year-old Donald Graham guilty of second-degree murder and possessing a dangerous weapon with intent to injure on Oct. 23 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie Hong.
Graham was initially charged with first-degree murder in connection with the fatal stabbing of 33-year-old Michael Schuler on Sept. 25, 2025, on the 2200 block of Sidney Avenue.
According to charging documents, Schuler was stabbed multiple times in his side, back and chest during an altercation outside a vacant home where Graham and his girlfriend sometimes stayed. Schuler was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died.
During the investigation, a witness told detectives that Graham admitted to stabbing Schuler and leaving the knife inside the vacant home. Police later recovered the knife and clothing Graham allegedly wore during the incident. Graham also reportedly admitted to detectives that he pulled a knife from his pocket and stabbed Schuler during a physical altercation.
During opening statements on Oct. 19, defense attorney Gregory John Fischer argued that Schuler approached Graham and his girlfriend before asking Graham for cocaine. Fischer claimed Schuler struck Graham in the back of the head, leading to the altercation.
The prosecution pointed to Schuler’s wallet and work identification, which were found in the bedroom where Graham had been staying. Fischer disputed the significance of the evidence, arguing that Graham denied taking the wallet and that DNA evidence would support his account of the incident.
The jury found Graham guilty of both charges on Oct. 23.
Graham is scheduled for a disposition hearing on Jan. 8, 2027, before Judge Hong.
