How many shooters were involved in the attempted murder of a 34-year-old man during a cookout earlier this spring? That was the highly contested question debated by counsel at the start of defendant Brandon Therron Spencer’s trial on Oct. 21.
The 49-year-old and his son, Therron Antonio Spencer, 29, are both charged but being tried separately for attempted first-degree murder and other weapons violations for the shooting on the 3100 block of Oakford Avenue on March 30.
Brandon is currently on trial before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Robert K. Taylor Jr., with Therron’s trial slated to begin before Judge Taylor on Oct. 22, according to the Maryland Judiciary website.
During her opening statement, the prosecutor said what was supposed to be an early spring cookout on a nice day took a violent turn when Brandon arrived and became upset and argumentative. Court documents state that Brandon “became upset with the male partygoers being present.”
The prosecutor said the male victim attempted to intervene between the arguing parties and was shot multiple times, including shots to the jaw, both legs and lower right back. Witnesses later identified Brandon as the allegted shooter to the Baltimore Police Department (BPD), according to the police report.
Defense attorney Michael Clinkscale recited the name of one civilian witness to the jury three times.
“I am saying that name because this case is based solely on what [she] says,” Clinkscale said, although he did not elaborate further on her involvement.
A homicide detective who testified explained that the homicide unit briefly took over the investigation when it was unclear if the victim was going to survive his injuries. After the shooting the victim was taken to Sinai Hospital.
At that time, police believed only one shooter was involved, the detective testified. A bullet fragment and a projectile were found at the scene in addition to blood spatter that trailed toward the 3100 block of Wylie Avenue.
“About four days into the investigation, it was determined the victim was going to survive his injuries” and non-fatal shooting detectives resumed their investigation, the homicide detective concluded.
When cross-examined by defense counsel, the detective told Clinkscale that video surveillance footage was recovered from a nearby business that showed “some type of argument or disagreement.” The video shows a tall black man come into view, open fire and continue to shoot, the detective said.
Clinkscale also confirmed with the detective that other businesses and nearby residences with potential video footage of the incident declined to provide it to police.
According to court records, a suspect — later identified as Therron — was seen in city surveillance footage wearing a black Under Armour hoodie and dark jeans and firing multiple shots at several unidentified people during the incident. Police reported that he then jumped over a vehicle on the 3100 block of Oakford Avenue and continued to shoot on the 4400 block of Park Heights Avenue before heading west on Oakford Avenue.
When called to the stand earlier in the proceeding, the first responding officer, assigned to BPD’s Northern District, testified that he was driving to the 5100 block of Park Heights Avenue to relieve another officer on duty but saw people yelling as he drove by the 3100 block of Oakford Avenue. The officer said he made a U-turn to investigate and found a woman on the ground.
The woman was not physically injured, he said, but appeared “extremely upset.” The officer also found two shelling casings and blood spatter in the area and notified additional officers to remain alert of any potential shooting victims at nearby hospitals.
Clinkscale confirmed with the officer that the latter did not witness the shooting or see anyone with a firearm nor did the officer know the name of the woman he saw on the ground.
Testimony continued Wednesday morning and is expected to resume in the afternoon.
