Trial Begins For Man Accused of Fatal Shooting on W. Rogers Ave.

Baltimore Courthouse

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Homicide defendant Kristopher Johnson “turned the other cheek” during multiple conversations with 34-year-old Dondi Johnson, but on Oct. 25, 2020, their interaction took a different turn.

The assistant state’s attorney assigned to the defendant’s trial told a 12-person jury on Feb. 7 that Johnson killed the victim, also known as DJ, following an argument on the 3600 block of W. Rogers Avenue. Johnson allegedly had issues with DJ, both of whom were identified in video surveillance footage alongside a woman on the afternoon of the shooting.

As DJ walks away from Johnson, the prosecutor said, the defendant is seen pulling out a handgun, shooting the victim 11 times, and then driving away in a black GMC truck. The prosecutor encouraged jurors to review all of the evidence and testimony over the course of the trial and find the defendant guilty of first-degree murder and two weapons charges.

Defense attorney Bradley MacFee declined to give an opening statement Tuesday afternoon, and the case proceeded with testimony before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lawrence Fletcher-Hill.