Trial Begins for Virginia Woman Accused of Running Over Husband

By Racquel Bazos [former] - August 23, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

On Aug. 23, defense attorney Tony Garcia and the prosecutor assigned to the case gave their opening statements before Baltimore City Court Judge Dana M. Middleton in the trial of Shakurah Eason for the killing of her husband, 35-year-old Donald Eason Jr.

The prosecutor called the case “short and straightforward” because the entire incident was captured on surveillance cameras, but Garcia said the footage was “a silent movie,” lacking the critical context of sound. Since the footage did not capture the couple’s argument or whether the victim screamed, the 29-year-old defendant is expected to testify.

Garcia did not dispute that Shakurah killed her husband. However, due to the negligence behind the incident, he asked the jury to find Shakurah guilty of manslaughter and not first-degree murder, which she is currently charged with.

According to Garcia, on Nov. 14, 2021, the couple drove from their home in Virginia to Baltimore, checked into the Marriott hotel on the 800 block of N. Wolfe Street and went out for drinks. They had been drinking heavily the entire night and had taken percocet when they began to argue at a club. Upon arriving back at the hotel, the dispute became physical in the valet parking zone, with the victim trying to “yank” Shakurah out of the car. 

The defendant put the car into reverse, striking Donald’s foot and lodging it in the wheel well. She then reversed further and then put the car in drive, in doing so running over and dragging Donald’s body. 

Donald was taken to Johns Hopkins Hospital for treatment, where he died on Nov. 20, 2021.

Shakurah’s trial has been delayed several times, including to accommodate for the birth of her and Donald’s child last June.

The trial is expected to last three more days.