Four Co-Defendants Reject Plea Offers in McElderry Park Murder

By Connor Driscoll [former] - July 16, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

All four co-defendants accused of killing a 21-year-old Aberdeen man in 2019 rejected plea offers at the Baltimore City Circuit Court on July 16. 

During reception court on Friday, prosecutors alleged that Anthony Clark, James Dunbar, Shamar Jerry, and William Thornton fatally shot Donnell Brockington on Nov. 13, 2019. The incident happened around 8:30 p.m. on the 2600 block of McElderry Street. 

Brockington died from multiple gunshot wounds after being taken to a local hospital.

Baltimore Police officers patrolling nearby heard gunshots and saw a car speeding away, according to Fox Baltimore. After the car crashed at the intersection of Ashland and Caroline Street, six individuals got out of the car and attempted to run away.

Police arrested four of those individuals in connection to the shooting.

Prosecutors offered Clark, 21, Dunbar, 20, and Jerry, 21, life in prison, suspending all but 75 years, with five years of supervised probation upon release, for first-degree murder, firearm use in a violent crime, having a handgun in a vehicle, and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder.

Thornton, 28, was offered life in prison for the same charges. 

However, the defendants’ defense attorneys rejected the plea offers. Clark, Dunbar, and Jerry, are represented by Donald Wright, Russell Neverdon, and Chantal Joseph, respectively. Thornton is represented by Martin Cohen and John Cox.

In addition to the charges named in the plea offers, Clark, Dunbar, and Jerry, are charged with possession of a firearm by a minor and having an illegal assault weapon. Clark, Dunbar, and Thornton are charged with conspiracy to use a firearm in violent crime. 

Each co-defendant also faces two additional charges for having a handgun in a vehicle.

Judge Melissa K. Copeland scheduled a two-week trial to begin on Feb. 7, during which the prosecution said they intend to call up to 14 witnesses to testify.

A plea offer was also rejected in the case of a non-fatal shooting defendant during Friday’s hearing.

A 32-year-old Baltimore resident was offered five years for illegal possession of ammunition; one year for discharging a firearm; and five years, suspending all but one, with five years supervised probation upon release for reckless endangerment, all sentences running consecutively.

Defense attorney Thomas Maronick rejected the offer on his client’s behalf.

Additionally, the defendant is charged with second-degree assault, neglect of a minor, and illegal possession of a regulated firearm.

The charges stem from a non-fatal shooting that occurred on Sept. 27, 2019. During the hearing, prosecutors said the victim of the incident was three years old. 

Judge Copeland slated the trial to begin Oct. 25.

Meanwhile, a defendant in an attempted murder case is actively considering a plea offer.

Baltimore resident Darrick Brown faces charges in connection to a shooting that occurred on June 27, 2020. 

On Friday, the prosecution offered Brown 60 years, suspending all but 15, for first-degree attempted murder; 15 years for firearm use in a violent crime; and three years for carrying a handgun. All three sentences would run concurrently.

In addition to the charges listed in the plea offer, Brown is charged with another count of first-degree attempted murder, first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and six other gun-related charges.

Brown’s defense attorney, Benjamin Herbst, asked the court to give him and his client two weeks to consider the offer. 

Judge Copeland scheduled the case to return to reception court on Aug. 13.