Bail Denied for Music Studio Owner Accused of Fatally Shooting Stepson

By Andrew Michaels - December 14, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A Baltimore business owner was denied bail on Dec. 14 after an alleged dispute over business led to the fatal shooting of his stepson.

The prosecution informed Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer that an eyewitness identified Michael Joseph, 44, at his business, the Gold Room music studio and lounge, on Feb. 12 on the 100 block of Baltic Avenue in South Baltimore.

Around midnight, the prosecutor said, Joseph and 25-year-old Kamari Ivery-Williams got into a verbal argument that became physical. As bystanders broke up the fight, Joseph then allegedly went to his bag, took out a gun, and shot Ivery-Williams multiple times.

During an interview with Baltimore Police Department homicide detectives, the prosecutor explained, Joseph allegedly asked to speak with them in the hallway—which isn’t recorded—where he told them that he had a dispute with his stepson over business and “did what he had to do.”

Defense attorney Brandon Mead told the judge a different chain of events, starting with a man who “became irate” and told the defendant he would return to the business and “blow his head off.” Ivery-Williams allegedly left and then returned when he made a motion to grab a gun and Joseph shot him.

Joseph called the police and placed his driver’s and gun license and the weapon on a table. When officers arrived, Mead said, Joseph placed his hands behind his back and said, “It was me.”

Mead argued self-defense, noting that the prosecution previously said the victim was shot in the back, which he said was false following an autopsy. The defense attorney did not provide further details of the autopsy.

Ivery-Williams was also not Joseph’s stepson, the defense attorney added, but the son of one of Joseph’s ex-girlfriends.

Judge Schiffer deemed Joseph a threat to public safety and denied bail.