Attorneys delivered closing arguments in a fatal West Baltimore apartment shooting on June 24, with defense counsel arguing that defendant Tyjai Archer, 27, acted in self-defense when he fatally shot victim Davion Hodges, 25.
On Wednesday, defense attorney Jerry Rodriguez asked jurors to carefully consider witness testimony and physical evidence while entering the deliberation phase.
According to trial testimony, Archer met Hodges through TikTok and developed a friendship with him after learning they shared the same birthday.
Rodriguez said the pair had known each other for roughly two weeks before the shooting, and told jurors the incident began while Archer was cooking in the victim’s apartment. He also claimed that an argument escalated after Hodges attempted to discuss their relationship and later tried to remove Archer from his residence.
Testimony indicated Archer fled to Philadelphia after the shooting before returning to Baltimore, where she was arrested.
Rodriguez challenged the credibility of an eyewitness who shared the apartment with Hodges and allegedly saw the shooting unfold, noting the witness initially told police Hodges had attacked both the witness and Archer. According to Rodriguez, the witness later changed that account after speaking with the victim’s family.
Jurors also heard the defense acknowledge Archer illegally possessed and transported a handgun, while maintaining that those firearm violations cannot prove she committed the murder.
Meanwhile, the state’s attorney maintained that Archer murdered Hodges in anger because he had asked her to leave his property.
The trial concluded Wednesday morning before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Alan C. Lazerow.
Jurors are currently deliberating.
