Trial Begins in 16-Year-Old's Murder

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The family of a slain 16-year-old Baltimore teen began an emotional journey July 10 as they observed the beginning of the trial against the man charged with his death before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer B Schiffer.

Christopher McLean, 29, is charged with first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, conspiracy to use a firearm in a felony violent crime, first-degree assault and reckless endangerment from a car in connection to an Aug. 14, 2023, incident that killed a teenager and injured an adult.

According to documents from the District Court of Maryland, on the 900 block of North Broadway, multiple people began firing toward a grocery store from a Nissan Maxima. Byron Hudson, 16, was killed and a 26-year-old man was also wounded in the shooting.

In opening statements, the prosecution stated that McLean was allegedly part of a carjacking and the shooting that cost Hudson his life. They told the jury one of the witnesses could identify the defendant in surveillance footage from the incident.

During opening statements, one of the family members had to leave the courtroom due to her distress and the other family and friends sat together and comforted each other while the trial progressed.

McLean’s attorney, Robert Cole, Jr., said the jury would be left with more questions than answers in his opening statement. He told the jury that the case was based on circumstantial evidence and McLean had no motive to be part of the incident.

The trial will continue on July 11.

Trial Begins in 16-Year-Old’s Murder