Attempted Homicide Defendant Was The ‘Unfortunate Driver’ in the Fells Point Shooting, Defense Says

By Andrew Michaels - January 27, 2023
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

In the eyes of defense attorney John Deros, attempted homicide defendant Nathan Presberry did not know his night on Jan. 15, 2022, would end with a non-fatal shooting alongside his friends in Fells Point.

Presberry, 26, stood trial for the attempted murder of three victims—a trial that concluded on Jan. 26 with counsels’ closing arguments. The jury returned a guilty verdict the following day for multiple counts of attempted first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and various weapons charges, and the defendant’s sentencing was scheduled for April 17 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Christopher Panos.

One of these co-defendants, 26-year-old Joel Duncan, was recently found guilty for his involvement in the crime. The verdict for 27-year-old Luciano Bruno’s trial is unknown to Baltimore Witness at this time, and 32-year-old Ronald Maranto began jury selection on Feb. 10.

During his closing arguments, Deros informed the jury that his client “didn’t actively take a role in shooting anybody” that evening but instead was the “unfortunate driver.”

The defendant was identified as the getaway driver in the shooting of three individuals after an earlier altercation between Duncan, Bruno, and the victims inside The Admiral’s Cup restaurant and bar.

“What happened was a sudden eruption in an unanticipated event,” the defense attorney said. “Whatever the driver did, it was all in an impromptu nature…no planning whatsoever.”

The prosecution, on the other hand, remained adamant about Presberry’s involvement, breaking down video surveillance footage of the incident, beginning with the brawl at the bar. The defendant was advised by Duncan and Bruno that “this fight wasn’t over,” the prosecution said.