Acquitted: Baltimore Man Previously Convicted of Murder Begins Retrial

By Braden Hamelin [former] - June 14, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Donnell Johnson Acquitted on June 15

A retrial was underway on June 14 for a Baltimore man appealing his 2009 murder conviction, despite the death of the two key eyewitnesses from the initial case. 

Baltimore resident Donnell Johnson was convicted in 2009 for the murder of Byron Dickey on the 2100 block of Barclay Street after the two men got into a physical altercation, causing Johnson to produce a gun and chase Dickey down the street, shooting at him five times. 

Johnson was arrested and convicted based on the eyewitness testimony of two siblings, who have since died, but knew Johnson, nicknamed “Nelly,” and were both on the street right next to the altercation. 

Prior to opening statements, defense counsel Bradley MacFee motioned to get the two siblings’ testimony and identifications of Johnson thrown out for being unreliable and influenced by police. This motion was denied by Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie J. Hong. 

During opening arguments, the prosecution stated that Johnson shot and killed Dickey on August 12, 2007.

MacFee argued that the case looked simple on paper but was more complicated than meets the eye. He said there were numerous unanswered questions about the descriptions of the shooter from 9-1-1 calls, other possible suspects, and the fact that one of the witnesses testified in return for drug charges being dropped against her. 

Johnson’s trial is scheduled to continue on June 15.