‘Callous Murder,’ Says Prosecution in Sentencing Carey Street Homicide Defendant

By Hannah Rainer [former] - October 6, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects |

The courtroom was packed for the Oct. 6 sentencing of a defendant found guilty of killing 24-year-old Joshua Whittington in April 2022.

Tavon Jamal Green, Jr., 23, was charged with first-degree murder, using a handgun in the commission of a crime and carrying a handgun on his person. On Aug. 18 , he was found guilty by a jury on all three counts.

The prosecution detailed the fight between Green and Whittington which ended with Green’s shooting Whittington multiple times.

“Certainly a premeditated, callous murder,” stated the prosecution.  

Prosecutors wanted to go beyond the sentencing guidelines–life for the first charge with no possibility of parole and for the second charge of handgun possession, 20 years to run consecutively to the murder sentence.

Defense attorney Roland S. Harris blamed the crime on the youth of the parties involved. He also explained it was a perfect storm of disrespect and social media that erupted into violence.

Interrupting, Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy said, “Your client seems more interested in who is leaving the courtroom than what is going on here.”

Harris apologized and stated Green was most likely looking for his mother, who was seated a few rows behind him.

Then Harris explained Green’s actions followed an assault from Whittington and that Green was simply trying to defend someone else. Moreover, Harris said Green lacked a prior record, was extremely family-oriented and unlikely to offend in the future. 

The defense then asked for life suspending all but 40 years for the first charge, 20 years for the second charge and three years for the third charge all to run concurrently.

Afterword, Judge Handy sentenced Green to life in the Department of Corrections for the first charge, 20 for the second charge and third charges to run concurrently. Green must wait 12 years before being eligible for parole for the second charge. However, he  received credit for time he had served since June 2022.

Judge Handy said the result was a sad outcome for all concerned, particularly the victim, “Joshua Wittington cannot even talk to his family on the phone,” she said.

According to District Court of Maryland documents, on April 2, 2022, Baltimore Police Department officers (BPD) responded to reports of a shooting on the unit block of South Carey Street. The victim had been shot multiple times and taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

Citywide cameras caught the crime on video, showing Whittington and Green arguing then fighting physically, which ended in Green’s shooting Whittington. Witnesses in the area identified Green to police, who filed a warrant for his arrest shortly after.