As Part of Trial’s Argument, Defense Says Victim’s Life Involved Violence

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A trial of a 33-year-old murder defendant began on Oct. 21 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Alan C. Lazerow.

Martez Brooks is charged with first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony-violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction and carrying and transporting a handgun in connection to the July 4, 2022, murder of 42-year-old Leroy Jeter III.

During opening statements, the prosecutor revealed that 35 shell casings were found surrounding Jeter’s body.

Surveillance footage from a nearby liquor store allegedly captured Brooks several times near the scene with another suspect. People were also seen running away from the two individuals.

At 12:45 a.m., Brooks left the liquor store wearing a hat and tennis shoes. Nearly two hours later, a surveillance camera outside a church near the crime scene captured Brooks wearing the same hat and tennis shoes.

Detectives later recovered an identical hat at the scene. The hat contained Brooks’ DNA.

During defense attorney Robert Cole’s opening statement, he pointed out that Jeter had a firearm that had been fired 11 times. He also said Jeter had a package of drugs that was ready to sell, suggesting that the jury should consider that Jeter was involved with violence.

Cole reminded the jury that they will hear the gunshot, but won’t see the shooting in the surveillance footage.

“You will have more questions than answers in this case,” Cole said. “Questions like how many people that were not captured by surveillance cameras were there, and there are people who might be eye-witnesses that would never be interviewed.”

The trial is slated to continue with witness testimony on Oct 22.