Defense Attorney Decries ‘Weak’ Case Against Shooting Client

By Amna Syed [former] - October 2, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects |

On Oct. 2, the jury listened to opening statements for 20-year-old defendant Taron Whiting before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer.

According to the Maryland Judiciary site, Whiting is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, firearm use in a felony violent crime, possession of a firearm as a minor, having a handgun on his person, illegal possession of ammunition and discharging a firearm in connection to an incident on July 1, 2022.

Documents from the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City state that on July 1, 2022, BPD officers responded to a shooting on the 600 block of Laurens Street. Upon arrival, they found the victim suffering from a gunshot wound to his right thigh.

Before the jury, the assistant state’s attorney said that the defendant pulled out a firearm, pointed it at multiple people and shot the victim. Afterward, he fled the scene while Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers tried to track him. 

The prosecutor said surveillance video as well as multiple witnesses will identify Whiting. She pointed out that in the video, the defendant was holding his waistband with his hands as he ran from the scene. 

“This is one of the weakest cases [against a defendant] I’ve had in 20 years,” defense attorney Donald C. Wright explained. He stated that the prosecution had no eyewitnesses, no physical evidence, no motive and even the victim will not testify against Whiting. 

Wright also told the jury that the video evidence could not be used to identify his client because it was unclear. 

“Officers will substitute their judgment for yours,” Wright said the prosecution only chose BPD officers as witnesses instead of people who were present during the time of the incident. 

Wright ended his argument saying the prosecution did not have any corroborating evidence and asked the jury to find the defendant not guilty of all charges by the end of this trial.