Trial Begins for Co-Defendants Accused Of Fatally Shooting 17-Year-Old Boy

By Cimone Gass [former] - March 31, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Defense counsel for two co-defendants accused of fatally shooting 17-year-old Beontray Ellis nearly four years ago argued that the prosecution does not have sufficient evidence linking the defendants to the crime during a jury trial on March 29 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Philip S. Jackson.

Brian Campbell, 24, and Corey Shawn Smith, 28, are both charged with first-degree murder and use of a firearm in a felony violent crime in connection to the shooting on Sept. 28, 2018. Campbell is also charged with possession of a firearm with a felony conviction and conspiracy to first-degree murder, while Smith faces an additional count of first-degree murder and having a handgun on his person.

According to the prosecution, Ellis was riding a green motor-bicycle around 1:30 p.m. on the 1200 block of Druid Hill Avenue where two men—one short and one tall—allegedly called Ellis to come over to them. When Ellis approached, the men took out their guns, shot Ellis multiple times, and ran away.

“People yelled and screamed the victim’s name and tried to save him, but they couldn’t,” the prosecutor told the jury during opening statements on Tuesday. “At 17, you think about prom, but his life was cut too short. In this case, you will see video and picture evidence that these two defendants are guilty of murder beyond a reasonable doubt.”

Campbell’s defense attorney, Roland Brown, informed the jury that no fingerprints, DNA, or eyewitnesses were found at the scene. Instead, he said, the prosecution’s case relies on assumptions because of a lack of evidence.

Smith’s defense counsel, Robert Cole, told jurors that they had “an important decision to make” as it will “determine what will happen to someone’s life.” Cole reiterated that the prosecution had no forensic evidence and that the jury should find Smith not guilty on all counts.

A lieutenant with the Baltimore Police Department was the first to testify, noting that he was not the first officer to arrive at the scene. The prosecution played the lieutenant’s body camera footage for the jury, which showed a large crowd standing over Ellis’ body laying in the street.

The witness said an officer’s attempt to revive Ellis were unsuccessful.

No eyewitnesses were found in the area, he added, and the motive for the shooting was unknown.

During cross-examination, Brown confirmed with the witness that the lieutenant did not see any suspects running away or hear any gunshots fired. Cole added that police canvassed the area after the shooting but did not get any information on possible suspects.

The lieutenant told the prosecution that it was normal not to hear gunshots as officers receive calls after the incident has occurred.

A crime lab technician was next to testify on Tuesday and said she found cartridge casings, blood, glasses, and a green motor bicycle at the scene.

The co-defendants’ trial is set to continue on March 30.