Jury Finds Defendant Not Guilty of Attempted Murder in Shooting of ‘The Wire’ Actor

By Andrew Michaels - May 9, 2022
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Less than two days after deliberating, a jury found 39-year-old Domonic White not guilty of attempted murder on May 5 after he was accused of shooting his friend and HBO’s “The Wire” actor Chris Clanton last year.

White was found not guilty of attempted first and second-degree murder.

However, he was found guilty for first-degree assault, firearm use during a felony violent crime, reckless endangerment, discharging a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a prohibited person, according to a clerk in the chambers of presiding Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Charles M. Blomquist.

Over the course of the three-day trial, the prosecution argued that White was outside with several others when Clanton—a long-time friend—approached White on the 4100 block of Eierman Avenue on April 29, 2021, and “was genuinely happy to see him.”

Clanton, who said he and White hadn’t seen one another in about 10 years, testified that the defendant “gave him the cold shoulder.” When the two stepped aside to talk, White pulled out a gun and shot him in his left ear, the victim said. The prosecutor reiterated that Clanton was accompanied by his 5-year-old son at the time of the incident.

During closing arguments on May 4, defense attorney Roland Brown focused the jury’s attention on the alleged lies told by multiple witnesses, including Clanton and the lead detective with the Baltimore Police Department.

Brown addressed Clanton’s testimony when the victim said he was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol when the shooting occurred, despite his medical records showing that to be false.

Brown also repeatedly described the lead detective as “star-struck,” choosing to make up a story rather than investigate.

A sentencing date has not been posted on the Maryland Judiciary website as of May 6.