Trial Begins for Defendant involved in Russell Street Shooting

By Tyler Parkes [former] - April 26, 2022
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A defendant accused of attempted murder had his trial begin on April 25 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Philip Jackson.

Blair Jones, 21, is charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, conspiracy to first-degree murder, conspiracy to first and second-degree assault, use of a firearm during a violent crime, conspiracy to use of a firearm during a violent crime, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, having a handgun on his person, wearing/carrying a handgun within 100 yards of the public, reckless endangerment, discharging firearms, illegal possession of ammo, and possession of a firearm with a felony conviction in connection to an incident that occurred on the 1500 block of Russell Street on May 8, 2021, around 3 a.m.

During opening statements, the prosecutor presented a sequence of events that led to the victim being shot. While the prosecution said Jones did not shoot the victim himself, his actions led to the shooting.

The prosecutor alleged that a dispute occurred between the victim and Jones in a Royal Farms and continued outside of the store. At a certain point, Jones points at the victim and his friend chases him across the street and then shoots him. Jones follows shortly behind and then both flee the area. 

Jones’ defense attorney Maureen Rowland argued that many assumptions would have to be made about Jones’ communication on that night to definitively prove that he wanted the victim to be shot.

Rowland continued with saying that even a dispute occurring in the store may not be true, as the victim is an unreliable witness, and the police did not ask witnesses at the store about a dispute happening. Rowland also pointed out how there was no photo array presented by the police in this case. 

The first two witnesses, for the prosecution, testified that they were in charge of video footage of the area. One witness is employed at the Horseshoe Casino, and the other at the Royal Farms.

The video footage from Horseshoe Casino showed two individuals chasing someone, that person being shot, and then the two running away. 

The prosecutor then showed footage from the Royal Farms cameras that showed two individuals entering the building and later leaving together. 

Jones’ trial is set to continue on April 26.