A medical examiner testified on July 16 that injuries Paris Savage suffered during a recorded outdoor assault caused his death, while the defense questioned whether drug use and an alleged earlier altercation may have contributed.
The testimony came as the second-degree murder trial of Kamrin Brown, 24, continued before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Michael Anthony DiPietro. Brown is represented by defense attorney Roya May Hanna.
Brown is charged with second-degree murder in connection with Savage’s death.
Earlier in the proceedings, the state called a detective who testified about surveillance footage, identification efforts, a search of a North Monroe Street home and Brown’s recorded police interview.
The detective said investigators created identification flyers using still images from surveillance footage that captured the incident. Investigators identified several individuals shown in the footage but were unable to identify one person.
Police later served a search and seizure warrant at the North Monroe Street home, where Brown and several other individuals were present. The detective identified Brown in court and testified that he and another officer later interviewed him at the police station.
The state played the recorded interview for the jury. In the video, Brown was advised of his rights and agreed to speak with investigators.
Brown said he knew Savage and was aware that he had died. He told investigators that Savage had stolen from him and that he ran after him because he wanted to understand why he had done so.
Brown also said he believed Savage had been in a physical altercation with another individual prior inside the home, although he maintained that he did not personally witness the alleged altercation.
Investigators then showed Brown surveillance footage of an assault outside in an alley. During the interview, officers said the video appeared to show Brown throwing punches at Savage, including while Savage was on the ground.
Police also said Savage remained on the ground for approximately 20 minutes before someone found him and called for help.
As the interview continued, Brown identified the individual he believed had fought Savage inside the home but again said he did not witness the alleged fight firsthand.
After the recording ended, the detective testified that investigators identified several individuals connected to the case. He said many refused to cooperate with the investigation.
During cross-examination, Hanna asked whether the individual accused of fighting Savage inside the home had been charged. The detective said he had not.
The detective testified that the individual and Savage were friends and that the person was considered a suspect.
Hanna also asked whether investigators interviewed neighbors about the relationship between the two individuals or found witnesses who could describe the relationship between Brown and Savage. The detective said they did not.
The State next called a medical examiner, whom Judge DiPietro accepted as an expert in forensic pathology.
The medical examiner testified that she performed Savage’s autopsy and observed hemorrhages around his neck, head, back, skin and eye. She said the injuries were caused by blunt-force trauma.
A toxicology report showed methamphetamine in Savage’s system. However, the medical examiner testified that the drug was not the cause of death.
After reviewing footage of the outdoor assault, she concluded that the injuries Savage suffered during an altercation caused his death. She explained that the methamphetamine may have made his body more vulnerable but did not kill him.
The medical examiner ruled the manner of death a homicide.
During cross-examination, Hanna presented hypothetical scenarios involving methamphetamine use, physical exertion and an alleged earlier assault. The medical examiner agreed that, under certain circumstances, drugs combined with running could lead to cardiac arrest or death.
She also agreed that an earlier assault, if one occurred, could have contributed to a person’s death when combined with drug use and physical exertion. However, she did not testify that she witnessed or independently confirmed an indoor assault.
The medical examiner maintained that her conclusion in Savage’s case was that the recorded outdoor assault caused his death.
The defense then called a witness who said he knew Brown, Savage and several other individuals connected to the case.
The witness testified that he was inside the North Monroe Street home when another individual attacked Savage. He said the individual was on top of Savage and repeatedly punched him before Savage ran through the back door.
According to the witness, Brown was not in the room during the indoor fight. He also testified that he had never seen Brown become angry or become involved in a fight.
During cross-examination, the prosecutor questioned why the witness identified several individuals in photographs during an earlier meeting with police but did not identify Brown, despite claiming he had known him for approximately a year.
On redirect examination, the witness denied that he was lying or testifying to protect Brown.
The trial is expected to continue.
