Accused Shooter Acted in Self-Defense When Victim Pulled Out a Handgun, Defense Argues in 2022 Shooting Case

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A Baltimore City homicide defendant’s defense counsel argued that his client acted in self-defense after shooting the victim who allegedly intervened in an argument between the defendant and his girlfriend.

Karl Wallace, 35, was having a disagreement with his girlfriend of six years on April 3, 2022, on the 2500 block of Patapsco Avenue, defense attorney Chris Purpura said told jurors during his opening statement in Wallace’s trial on May 18. The argument wasn’t physical, he continued, but the sister of the victim, 22-year-old Troy Gross, called him and he brought a handgun.

When Wallace and Gross began arguing, the victim pulled out his handgun and the defendant acted in self-defense, believing his life to be in danger, Purpura concluded.

The prosecution informed the jury that a medical examiner will testify that Gross was shot six times during the incident that occurred outside his mother’s home. Wallace was also prohibited from owning a firearm for a prior robbery conviction from 2008.

Both the prosecutor and Purpura encouraged the jury to listen to the facts and evidence before reaching their verdict.

The trial continued with testimony on Thursday before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge M. Brooke Murdock.