On Sept. 9, opening statements began in a bench trial for Brandon Newman, 26, who is charged with first-degree assault in connection to an incident involving his father. The case is being decided by Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Robert K. Taylor.
Newman is additionally charged with firearm use in a felony/violent crime, second degree assault, handgun on person, handgun in vehicle, reckless endangerment, and did fire and discharge any gun, pistol, and firearm in connection to the non-fatal shooting that occurred on March 12 on the 2200 block of Monticello Road.
According to charging documents, an argument ensued between Newman and his father. His father informed police that his son was sitting in his vehicle and shot at his father who was on foot during the shooting. The victim led Baltimore City police to the 4500 block of Fairfax Road where he was standing during the incident, and one 9mm shell casing was recovered. The victim did not suffer any injuries.
After he was allegedly read his Miranda rights against self-incrimination the defendant told police he discarded his handgun on the 5300 block of Dogwood Road, where officers found it.
The prosecutor argued Newman intended to shoot at his father, and the argument he did not was “disingenuous”. Otherwise why did he get out of the vehicle with a firearm which is not something a person would ordinarily do? She said the action justifies the reckless endangerment charge.
Defense attorney Martin Cohen countered that since this was not a crime of violence, those charges should be dismissed. Cohen also said a claim of self-defense was justified as Newman’s father allegedly retrieved a machete from his vehicle and in turn Newman got a gun out of his car.
The defense also noted that Newman had no intention of shooting his father because he backed up and tripped while his father seemingly waved the machete, showing that Newman was attempting to get farther away. He also said that discharging means purposefully shooting yet there was no intent behind these actions.
However, the defense accepted that count five is potentially legitimate because the defendant stopped before going directly to a shooting range with his firearm in his vehicle.
The trial, including testimonies, will continue on Sept. 10.
