Baltimore Man Denied Bail After Allegedly Shooting Sister's Accused Abuser

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A Baltimore man accused of shooting his sister’s alleged abuser earlier this year was denied bail on June 1.

Thomas Brooks is charged with attempted first and second-degree murder, conspiracy to first-degree murder, first-degree assault, conspiracy to first-degree assault, and four weapons charges.

During a bail review hearing on Wednesday, defense attorney Tony Garcia informed Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Philip S. Jackson that the defendant’s sister was allegedly strangled by her boyfriend on Feb. 22 when he then escaped from the back door of the residence as Baltimore Police Department officers arrived at the scene.

Officers took the victim to the police station for her safety, he said.

The defense attorney explained that later in the day, Brooks and his nephew, Steven Jones, could not find the former’s sister and went to look for her at her home on 1000 block of East 20th Street. When they arrived and found her ex-boyfriend, Brooks shot him in the thigh and left the home.

Jones, who is facing similar charges, had a bail review on May 24 when Judge Jeannie J. Hong released him on his own recognizance with home detention after his defense attorney, Andrea Jaskulsky, argued that there was “absolutely zero evidence” that Jones intended to harm the victim.

“This is not a normal type of aggressive crime,” said Garcia, who noted that Brooks was a registered gun owner and has no prior convictions.

The prosecution provided additional details, saying that Brooks and Jones found the man in a closet when Brooks shot him several times in the thigh, adding that the man had to “pretend to be dead” for the shooting to stop.

“The defendant took matters into his own hands,” the prosecutor said.

Judge Jones denied bail given the seriousness of the allegations.

Brooks is next scheduled to appear in reception court on Sept. 29.

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Baltimore Man Denied Bail After Allegedly Shooting Sister’s Accused Abuser