Man Accused of Attempted Murder Shot Drunken Victim in Self-Defense, Counsel Says

By Andrew Michaels - March 13, 2024
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

“Self-defense is a real thing,” defense attorney Staci Pipkin said on March 13, and it was an action taken by defendant Joseph Harris nearly five years ago when he shot the alleged victim during a fight.

According to Pipkin, the 38-year-old defendant can claim self-defense if he was not the aggressor and did not use more force than was necessary. The accused must also have had a reasonable belief supporting his fear of death or immediate harm. On April 18, 2019, defense counsel said, Harris was attacked with a brick by the drunken victim, who then grabbed ahold of the defendant’s dreadlocks in an attempt to slam his head against the ground.

“[Harris] thought he was going to die,” Pipkin said. “He shot [the victim].”

During her opening statement in Harris’ jury trial, Pipkin explained the victim told Baltimore Police Department (BPD) detectives that he had two pints of dark liquor and marijuana in his system on the night of the incident on the 200 block of West Baltimore Street. After arguing with the defendant, she said, the victim went around a nearby corner, dropped his bag, picked up a brick and then went back to attack Harris.

“You can see that shots were not immediately fired,” Pipkin said, citing video evidence the jury is expected to see at trial. The victim also ripped out some of Harris’ dreadlocks during the fight, which police found at the scene.

Although the prosecutor agreed there was a fight, she told the jury that Harris attempted to hide his identity by changing his clothes and hiding his face just before the shooting.

“DNA in this case tells us Joseph Harris shot [the victim] multiple times,” the prosecutor said, and the four recovered shell casings were consistent with the handgun that was found.

Harris’ trial continued Wednesday morning with two 911 calls followed by testimony before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Cynthia H. Jones.

Harris is charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, firearm use in a felony or violent crime, reckless endangerment, having a handgun on his person and discharging a gun in Baltimore City as well as two counts of carrying a gun within 100 yards of a public place.