Baltimore Teen Acquitted of 2023 High School Football Game Shooting

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A Baltimore teenager accused of opening fire at a school football game in 2023 was aquitted of all charges on Aug. 20.

Jurors reached their verdict within hours of the trial’s conclusion, exonerating 17-year-old defendant Devon Rich on charges of attempted murder, assault, and reckless endangerment, as well as multiple firearm and conspiracy violations.

The game took place on Sept. 1, 2023, at the Paul Laurence Dunbar High School football field near the 1100 block of E. Madison Street.

Throughout the three-day trial, defense attorney George Harris continued to cast doubt on the prosecution’s decision to withhold specific witness interviews and emphasized a lack of eyewitnesses confirmation that Rich was present at the game, which had many in attendance.

Despite acknowledgement from both parties that a key witness to the case lied on the stand, jurors ultimately sided with the defense.

The discredited witness was accused of conspiring with Rich but presented different versions of the events to the police and in trial.

Proceedings took place before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy.