Man Denied Bail after Hung Jury in 2020 Murder Trial

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Although acquitted of first-degree murder in October, 24-year-old homicide defendant Chance Taylor appeared for a bail review on Dec. 20 after the jury was unable to give a unanimous verdict for his second-degree murder charge.

Taylor’s week-long trial before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yolanda Tanner concluded on Oct. 19 with a verdict of not guilty for the murder of 18-year-old Gary Williams in April 2020. During Tuesday’s proceedings, defense attorney Michael Tomko said a mistrial was declared for the second-degree murder charge, resulting in a retrial that has yet to occur.

According to Tomko, the fatal shooting occurred during a drug transaction between the victim and the defendant inside a vehicle. Judge Tanner refused to give the jury an instruction on self-defense, the attorney added, which he explained may have swayed the jury to acquit Taylor of all charges.

A prosecutor standing in for the assistant state’s attorney assigned to the case argued that the defendant’s shoe and DNA placed him at the scene; however, Tomko countered that this did not mean his client committed the murder.

“We cannot attempt to peer into the minds of the jury as to what they are thinking,” the prosecutor said. “There were some jurors who did believe this defendant committed murder because there was a hung jury.”

Despite the defense counsel’s request for home detention, Judge Philip Jackson denied Taylor’s bail. The defendant’s next court appearance is scheduled on May 9, 2023.