Circuit Court Judge Hears Opening Arguments in Homicide Trial

By Alyssia Davis [former] - December 9, 2022
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Victims |

The jury trial of a Baltimore man charged with first-degree murder began on Dec. 8 with opening statements before Judge Cynthia H. Jones. 

Dayquan Lawson is charged with first and second-degree murder, first and second-degree assault, the use of a firearm during a felony violent crime, having a handgun on his person, and having a loaded handgun on his person in connection to an incident on Dec. 30, 2021. 

According to court documents, on the day of the incident officers were called to the 5100 block of Dickey Hill road for reports of a shooting. On arrival, officers found 23-year-old Jordan Antwon Braxton inside an apartment suffering from a gunshot to his head. 

The victim was taken to Sinai Hospital for treatment, where the victim was pronounced deceased due to the severity of the victim’s injuries.

During opening statements, the prosecutor told the jury they would hear testimony from the crime lab, the primary officer, a detective, a medical examiner, and several witnesses at the scene the night of the shooting. 

She asked the jury to find the defendant guilty.

Defense counsel Roland Harris stated the case is about self-defense following a money dispute. He claimed only one credible witness said they saw the defendant shoot the victim. 

The 23-year-old defendant was trying to leave the scene while the victim was searching for a weapon, said Roland. 

Roland described his client as having no prior criminal record to the jury. He asked the court to find his client not guilty. 

Lawson’s trial is set to continue on Dec. 9.