Judge Imposes Harsh Sentence on Murder Defendant in Emotional Proceeding

By Hannah Rainer [former] - December 19, 2023
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

It was an emotional sentencing by Judge Christopher L. Panos for the man convicted in the deaths of Robert Carter, 33, and Kennard Wilds, 27, on Dec. 15.

Lamarr Candia, 28, was charged with four counts of first-degree murder, two counts of firearm use in a felony violent crime, first-degree assault and second-degree assault in connection to the murder of two individuals last year. On Oct. 3, a jury found Candia guilty on all four counts of first-degree murder and the two counts of firearm use in a felony violent crime.

The prosecution began the sentencing by inviting several family members of the victims to give impact statements. Most were too emotional to read their statements, with the prosecution supporting them as they expressed to Judge Panos how this crime had affected their respective families.

First, the prosecution read a statement written by Carter’s son. 

“I feel everything. I want to ask what it would feel like if you lost someone you love,” he wrote. Carter’s mother followed, saying, “Lamarr destroyed three families. He showed no remorse or sympathy.”

Following Carter’s mother was Wild’s older brother.

“It hurt me … real bad,” he cried. “My brother would want me to be here. I know he’d be up here doing the same for me.”

Wild’s aunt described the detrimental impact her nephew’s death had upon her life and her family’s well being. She stated that it had affected her mentally and physically.

“Kenard was born as my nephew but raised as my son, and something of mine was taken away from me,” she stated.

The prosecution then asked the judge too show, “no mercy, no leniency,” since they were not given to the victims.

Defense attorney Lawrence Rosenberg made little mention of Candia, besides commenting on the “appalling theatrics” put on by the prosecution.

When it came time for Candia to speak he directed his statements to the families of the victims.

“To families: I did not plan anything. People losing their life because of me is not factual. I wish it had never happened,” Candia stated. He then followed with, “I ain’t done nothing, and I got to sit here and be at fault for something I didn’t do.”

Judge Panos stated that he is known to be merciful, however, there was no mercy in this crime.  

“What was unmerciful was anyone” punching an individual in the face after he’d been shot in the face. said the judge.

Candia received two life sentences without the possibility of parole for the first-degree murders of Carter and Wilds, 30 years without the possibility of parole for firearm use in a felony violent crime, 15  years, the first five years without the possibility of parole for conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and 50 years for firearm use in a felony violent crime. Each sentence was set to run consecutively.

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, on April 29, 2022, Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers arrived at the scene on the 3300 block of Garrison Boulevard outside of a Carroll Fuels gas station after reports of two individuals being shot.

Upon arrival, they found Wilds and Carter, deceased. Surveillance footage showed Candia arriving at the gas station, shortly after engaging in a fight with Wilds and Carter. The fight broke up, with another individual in a mask showing up in a separate vehicle only a few minutes later.

The individual in the mask and Candia were seen conversing across the street, then left their vehicles and walked back across the street to Wilds and Carter. Candia swung at Wilds and the unidentified individual shot Carter in the face. Candia proceeded to punch Carter in the face while Wilds was shot as he tried to run away.

The suspect was identified by surveillance video.