Baltimore Man Given Life Sentence for 2021 Murder of 69-Year-Old Woman

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“I am truly sorry. Please forgive me,” a convicted murder defendant expressed to the court during his  sentencing before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Martin H. Schreiber on Jan. 17.

Judge Schreiber sentenced Manzie Smith to life, suspending all but 50 years with five years supervised probation for first-degree murder. The defendant will be given credit for the time he has served so far, said Judge Schreiber. 

The prosecutor said she believes the sentence was fair. 

According to a news release, on Nov. 16, 2021, officers were called to the 1700 block of N. Chester Street at approximately 7:20 a.m. for reports of shots fired. They found 69-year-old Evelyn Player with a gunshot wound.

Smith, 63, was charged with first-degree murder, use of a deadly weapon with intent to conceal, use of a deadly weapon with intent to injure, robbery and theft of less than $1,000 in connection to the incident.

Smith is represented by defense counsel Leslie Stein.