‘Every Choice Comes with a Consequence,’ Homicide Defendant Tells Victim’s Mother During Plea Hearing

By Andrew Michaels - May 19, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Homicide defendant Joseph Clark expressed his remorse for the killing of 35-year-old Nathaniel Carter after accepting a plea of 40 years incarceration on May 18.

During the proceeding, the prosecution informed the court that just before 1:30 a.m. on Nov. 10, 2020, Clark forced himself into his ex-girlfriend’s apartment on the 4400 block of Plainfield Avenue and blocked the door, refusing to let her leave. His ex attempted to call her mother, but Clark snatched the phone out of her hands.

An argument ensued before the woman shut herself in her bedroom and called 911. Shortly after the incident, she was granted a protective order against Clark.

The following day, the woman asked Carter to drive her home from work as she was scared for her safety, the prosecution said. The two were then ambushed at the woman’s apartment, where Clark ran up to and shot Carter multiple times in his hip and thigh.

Seven shell casings were recovered from the scene.

“He refused to accept the relationship was over,” the prosecutor told Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lynn S. Mays on Wednesday.

Clark ultimately admitted to the shooting during an interview with detectives from the Baltimore Police Department, saying that he told a friend that he hid the gun behind his family’s shed and asked him to return it to its owner.

The weapon was never found.

Following discussions between counsel and the judge on May 17, Clark accepted a plea comprised of four cases on Wednesday: Carter’s murder, the burglary and assault against his ex, and violation of probation in a car theft case from 2016.

For Carter’s murder, Clark accepted a plea of life, suspending all but 40 years, and five years of probation for first-degree murder, and a concurrent 20 years, the first five years without parole, for firearm use during a felony violent crime.

The plea also incorporated the charge of false imprisonment for the case involving his ex, which was for a concurrent 10 years.

Clark was sentenced to an additional four years, to be served concurrently, for violating probation.

Under the plea agreement, Clark was recommended for the Patuxent Institution for mental health issues and told to stay away from his ex as well as Carter’s family.

Clark was represented by Donald Wright in all cases.

This plea offered a lesser sentence than the one that was offered to Clark in November 2021.

On Wednesday morning, Clark was given the opportunity to address Carter’s mother who had tears streaming down her face as she sat in the gallery.

“Life is similar to a game of chess because every choice comes with a consequence,” Carter said, explaining how he lost his focus but that his faith and family will guide him.

“…I know forgiveness may be too much to ask for, but I see forgiveness today,” he said.

During her victim impact statement, Carter’s mother told Judge Mays that her family is “still numb” and trying to understand the devastation surrounding her son’s death.

“It saddens me that they couldn’t have resolved this situation differently,” she said before adding that the family doesn’t find “any joy anywhere in [Clark’s] conviction.”

Clark’s cousins also addressed the court, both of whom told their cousin to take advantage of the opportunities at the Patuxent Institution and reflect on his actions.