Homicide Defendant Awaits Verdict From Jury

By Baltimore Witness Staff - March 29, 2022
Court | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

On March 25, a jury trial began with no opening statements made by counsel before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lynn Stewart Mays.

Darrius Lemar Jordan is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, and use of a firearm during a violent crime in connection to an incident on Feb. 12. 

The prosecutor called a manager from Uptown Liquor to testify that on Feb. 12, 2021, she was working at the bar, when the incident occurred. She said she witnessed two male individuals arguing, and eventually, getting into a physical altercation. She approached the two individuals and asked them to stop, which they did and both males left together. 

The prosecutor provided numerous photos and requested that the witness explain what was in the photos. During her explanation, the witness identified the pictures as the same photos the detectives showed her during a photo array.

According to the prosecutor, the defendant was the last person to see the victim alive, suggesting that he committed the alleged crime. 

During cross-examination, defense attorney Roya Hanna argued that the witness did not see the shooting occur because she went into the backroom after the altercation. Hanna also suggested that there’s a possibility that the witness tampered with the footage when she went into the back.

The next witness called was a Baltimore Police Department patrol officer who testified that, on Feb. 12, 2021, he responded to the 1900 block of Edmondson Avenue in West Baltimore regarding a fatal shooting. At the scene, he said he found shell casings and a cellphone under the victim’s body.

The officer also said the victim had a gunshot to the head and was breathing. However, when the medics arrived the victim was pronounced dead.

The prosecutor provided surveillance footage and requested the officer explain what he saw during the video. During his explanation, the officer identified the video was from his body camera and it was recording him driving to the incident and what he saw when he arrived.

During cross-examination, Hanna argued that the officer didn’t follow up with any residents that night, which could have cleared her client’s name. She also said there was no license plate reader in the area to determine if the car arriving and leaving the scene belonged to the defendant. 

A paramedic who works for the Baltimore City Fire Department testified that she was on the scene the night of the incident. She observed a man lying in the snow with a gunshot wound to his head and suffering from scratches to his face and upper chest.

She checked for a pulse and after not finding one the victim was pronounced dead.  

A detective from the Baltimore Homicide Division testified that he responded to a call for service on Feb. 12, 2021, where he found shell casings, fired cartridge casings, and narcotics.

The prosecutor provided several exhibits of surveillance video and requested that the detective explain what was in the video. During his explanation, the detective repeatedly identified the victim and the defendant inside and outside the bar, where the assault occurred. 

The trial is scheduled to continue on March 28.