A love affair was behind a man’s attempted murder on Oct. 21, 2019, a Baltimore City prosecutor told jurors during opening statements in the trial of Willian Flores on Jan. 25.
According to the assistant state’s attorney, the victim was in his vehicle a block away from the 32-year-old defendant’s home, waiting for Flores to leave for work before going to see his wife. Having worked together in the past, the victim told Baltimore Police that he recognized the defendant’s vehicle pull up behind him on the 1000 block of Chase Street, followed by Flores leaning out the driver’s side window and opening fire.
“… Both the defendant, Willian Flores, and the victim believed they were in a relationship with the same woman,” the prosecutor said. “That is what the case is ultimately about.”
She explained that the jury will hear some of Flores’ jail calls during which he says, “he’s only in jail because he loves her.”
However, defense attorney Jeremy Eldridge said, Flores and his wife were split up at the time of the incident. Additionally, the victim told police that he was on Chase Street because he was on his way to work—not waiting for the defendant to leave his home, as stated by the prosecution.
“What motive would Mr. Flores have?” Eldridge asked. “The case is about the victim being in love with Mr. Flores’ wife, and when [she] got back with Mr. Flores, the victim became upset and started stalking [her].”
In regards to the defendant’s vehicle, the defense attorney said his wife had his vehicle on the day of the shooting because he drove to work with coworkers.
The trial proceeded before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Yvette Bryant.
