Accused Shooter Acquitted of Attempted Murder, Convicted for Weapons Charges in June 2023 Shooting

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A jury acquitted 34-year-old Desmond Lark of attempted murder charges in connection to an argument-turned-shooting outside a liquor store in the Frankford neighborhood last year.

On Aug. 22, Lark’s trial concluded before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer when the defendant was found not guilty of attempted first and second-degree murder, attempted voluntary manslaughter and having a handgun in a vehicle. However, Lark was found guilty of first and second-degree assault, firearm use in a felony or violent crime, having a handgun on his person and discharging a firearm in the city.

Lark and his attorney, Roya Hanna, are scheduled to return to Judge Schiffer’s courtroom on Sept. 20 for his sentencing.

At trial, counsel remained at odds over Hanna’s self-defense claim. Hanna argued that the victim threatened to “blow [Lark] away” and repeatedly told the defendant to “give [the victim] a reason” to shoot him during an argument between the two men outside a liquor store on the 5300 block of Frankford Avenue on June 1, 2023.

The prosecution countered that Lark lost a fight with the victim and shot him out of revenge.