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By
Riley Mathews
- July 31, 2025
Court
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Daily Stories
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Homicides
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Shooting
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Suspects
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Victims
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Attorneys delivered closing arguments in the murder trial of Amir Barnes-Henderson before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy on July 31.
Barnes-Henderson, 27, is charged with first-degree murder and several other firearm charges in connection to the fatal shooting of Gary Matthews, 34, outside One Stop Liquor Shop on the 4900 block of Frankford Avenue.
During opening statements, the prosecution said the “execution-style” shooting resulted in 22 gunshot wounds across Matthews’ body, including 12 to his head.
According to charging documents, Baltimore Police Department (BPD) officers found Matthews unresponsive on the ground. Officers located six 9mm casings.
The prosecution’s closing arguments maintained there was “overwhelming evidence” provided by a witness who was a friend of Matthews.
The prosecution reminded the jury that the witness allegedly identified the suspect by the nickname “Petey.” The witness described his dark complexion, skinny build and distinctive tattoos. Detectives also claim they discovered messages sent by Barnes-Henderson referring to himself as “Petey.”
During an investigation, officers showed the witness a photographic array of men with similar characteristics to the suspect, which the prosecution presented to the jury. The witness reportedly recognized the fourth photograph, saying, “He killed my friend.”
Defense attorney Augustine Okeke declared that there is no photographic evidence linking Barens-Henderson to the shooting, only the testimony of the witness. In his closing argument, Okeke urged the jury to make a decision based on “evidence and nothing else.”
The jury is deliberating.