A Baltimore City jury found Melvin Tucker, 46 innocent of first-degree murder and numerous firearm violations before Baltimore City Circuit Judge Dana Middleton on July 27.
Tucker was charged in connection to the shooting on the 3600 block of Leverton Avenue on May 12, 2024 which resulted in the death of 42-year-old Moses Earl McKnight.
During the investigation, detectives recovered surveillance footage capturing a white Ford Explorer parking on the 3500 block East Baltimore Street. A suspect can be seen exiting the Ford and walking over to the victim. Then, the suspect fired and shot the victim multiple times.
The suspect then went back to the vehicle and fled. After the tags on the Ford were run through a data base, Melvin Tucker appeared as the registered owner, thus a suspect.
During the trial, an eyewitness testified to being on drugs during the shooting. The witness only knew the defendant and victim by their nicknames. Tucker was referred to as “Smoke” and McKnight was known as “Bird.”
According to the witness, she did not initially tell police she saw Smoke shoot Bird because she was afraid. She eventually told authorities Smoke was the alleged shooter–police said this was about a year after the incident. She was unable to identify Smoke in the courtroom.
In closing statements, the prosecutor asserted that Tucker was there when the shooting occurred, verified through footage and witness testimony. In jail calls prior to the shooting, the defendant is allegedly heard saying McKnight owed him about $200.
Tucker’s defense attorney Robert Cole explained that the verdict relies on the jury believing the witness. Cole pointed to her unreliability due to being on narcotic drugs and not having slept for days prior to the shooting.
Cole contended the defendant and victim had settled their money dispute prior to the shooting.
Additionally, there were no reports of shots fired. The victim reportedly lost 60 percent of his blood; however, no blood was at the scene, according to Cole.
Tucker took the stand himself and expressed his innocence.
Tucker was found not guilty of first-degree murder, firearm use in a felony or violent crime, and having a handgun on person. The jury did not reach a verdict for having a handgun in the vehicle.
The verdict was reached on July 27.
