Acquitted: Counsel Deliver Closing Arguments for 2019 Murder Case

By Cynthia Eapen [former] - September 27, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Editor’s note: The defendant was acquitted of charges in this case.

The prosecution and defense attorney presented their closing arguments during a trial for alleged murderer Terrell Parker on Sept. 27 at Baltimore City Circuit Court. 

Parker, 25, is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of felony use of a firearm in a violent crime, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, attempt to kill, and first-degree assault for allegedly shooting Ray Parker on February 26, 2019, on the 1500 block of Cliftview Avenue around 9 p.m.

During closing arguments, the prosecution’s main point was that the victim confronted the defendant asking, “What did you say to her?” referring to the victim’s ex-girlfriend. This was based upon testimony from an eye witness, who also saw Parker with a gun in his hand. 

In addition, the prosecutor said the intent to kill was established because of the number of gunshot wounds the victim sustained.

However, defense attorney Donald C. Wright argued that the police conducted the investigation poorly, specifically, they were influencing witnesses and questioned one eye witness a month after the incident occurred.

Wright said the eye witness’ testimony was not corroborated by what the jury was shown during the video and that when asked to identify whether the shooter in the photo array was Parker, the eye witness responded, “I guess he’s the shooter.” 

Wright told the jury that there was also no DNA linking the defendant to the crime, and there was no murder weapon present for the case. He ended his argument saying that there was evidence being deliberately held from the jury and that they should find Terrell Parker not guilty. 

Earlier in the proceeding, the medical examiner said he performed the autopsy on Ray and had found four gunshot wounds, one of which was lodged in the chest cavity. His expertise led him to rule the death a homicide. 

During his cross examination, defense attorney Donald C. Wright said there was no gunpowder from the bullets on the victim, which demonstrated that the gun had to be more than two feet away when the shooting occurred. 

Prior to closing arguments, the prosecution and Wright agreed that the gun in the case is a registered firearm and that the defendant was not allowed to possess the weapon since he was a previously convicted felon. 

Additionally, the prosecution played body camera footage of the detective on the scene shortly after the arrest. In the video, Terrell was wearing the same clothes as he was the night of the murder and that he was with his girlfriend.

The prosecution then told the court that Terrell placed himself at the scene of the crime during the time of the murder. 

Judge Robert K. Taylor Jr. presided. 

The jury began deliberating Monday afternoon.