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By
Baltimore Witness Staff
- December 13, 2023
Attempted Murder
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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On Dec. 12, defense attorney Martin Cohen and the assistant state’s attorney gave opening statements for an attempted murder case in front of Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie J. Hong.
Cohen is representing 28-year-old defendant Marika Nila Crawford who is charged with first-degree attempted murder, second-degree attempted murder, armed robbery, robbery, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, reckless endangerment, theft between $100 and $1,500, having a loaded handgun on her person, carrying a gun on her person, having a loaded handgun in a vehicle, having a handgun in a vehicle and discharging a firearm in connection to a July 20, 2022, incident.
During opening statements, a timeline was introduced by both the defense and prosecution with details of the event differing in certain points.
Both sides agree that Crawford was mowing the lawn of a neighbor when the victim asked her to mow his lawn after she was done. She agreed for a price of $50, which the victim paid Crawford when she completed the service. The defendant asked to use the victim’s bathroom and he agreed. This is where the two accounts differ.
According to the victim and the prosecution, Crawford threatened the victim for money and he refused. As a result, the defendant shot him, and while he was knocked out the defendant stole his money and fled.
However, according to Cohen and Crawford, Crawford was trying to leave the house but the victim would not let her because he wanted to pay her for sex. She refused, and then he allegedly got on top of her and almost strangled her unconscious. That is when she allegedly shot him and fled the scene.
According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, Crawford is charged in connection to the shooting on the 1200 block of East Lanvale Street. The victim was found covered in blood on the floor of his home by his grandson. Crawford was identified through a photo array by the victim.