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Andrew Michaels
, Alyssia Davis [former] - March 27, 2023
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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At the start of his client’s trial on March 27, defense attorney Chris Purpura proclaimed to the jury that the prosecution would not have enough evidence to convict 41-year-old Theodore Johnson for fatally shooting William Christian last summer during an argument over a dirty diaper.
Johnson faces murder and weapons charges for the 49-year-old man’s death on June 16, 2022, on the 3500 block of W. Caton Avenue. Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie Hong is presiding over the trial.
During opening statements on Monday, Purpura argued that while the prosecution has video surveillance footage allegedly showing the homicide unfold, it cannot be heard whether there was a dispute.
“There are things we haven’t established yet, like who did the crime, what happened, and why did it happen,” the defense attorney said. “…What happened is the burden that the [prosecution] has to prove to you.”
According to the prosecution, Christian and Johnson’s wife were having a fight on the 100 block of N. Monastery Avenue, which carried over to West Caton Avenue. Johnson then intervened, following Christian with a gun for 10 seconds before firing.
Video footage shows the shooting occur in front of a church, the prosecutor said, while witnesses identified Johnson as the shooter.
Testimony began after opening statements and is expected to continue on March 28.