Attempted Murder Defendant’s Defense Counsel Calls Victim’s Identification Claims of Defendant Unreliable

By Alyssia Davis [former] - June 23, 2022
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A 20-year-old attempted murder defendant’s trial began with opening statements on June 23 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeffery Gellar. 

Darius Parlow is charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, use of a firearm during a violent crime, reckless endangerment, possession of a firearm as a minor, and an unauthorized handgun on his person in connection to an incident on July 4, 2021.

According to court documents, on the day of the incident, officers were called to the 5200 block of Cuthbert Avenue for reports of a shooting. On arrival, officers found the victim suffering from a gunshot to the neck on the 3800 block of W. Belvedere Avenue.

The victim was taken to Sinai Hospital, where he was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

On the night of the incident, the victim ran out of drugs and went to buy some when the defendant waved him down. The defendant then walked to the victim’s car and opened the door, the prosecutor said during opening statements.

After approaching the victim’s car, the defendant is seen with a gun on his waist. Therefore, causing the victim to speed off, leaving Partlow behind and heading toward the nearest police officer. While in the process of leaving, the victim gets shot in the back of the neck.

The prosecutor stated there were shell casings, blood, and prints lifted from the crime scene to prove that the defendant shot the victim. He told jurors they would hear testimony from the police officer, the primary detective, the crime scene technician, and the medical examiner.

The prosecutor asked the jurors to find the defendant guilty of all charges.

During his opening statements, Parlow’s defense counsel Benjamin Charlton said the shooter was described as 5’6” on the night of the incident, but the defendant is at least 6’0” tall.

He claimed the victim was also high on cocaine on the night of the incident and had trouble seeing, said the defense. The victim described the defendant as a light-skinned man with short hair and facial hair. The alleged name of the shooter was “KD” who was 5’6” tall. 

Charlton stated that the victim’s identification of the defendant is unreliable. He believes that the victim could have misidentified the defendant.

Charlton asked the jurors to find the defendant not guilty of all charges.

Parlow’s trial is scheduled to continue on June 24.