Counsel Debate Defendant’s Intent During Closing Arguments

By Sophia Amoroso - April 8, 2024
Court | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting |

“You can’t use deadly force to defend property,” the prosecution said about the actions of 24-year-old Jeremiah Dairo on the night of Aug. 12, 2023. “There is no dispute about the fact that he fired his gun.”

On April 3, counsel delivered closing arguments in Dairo’s case before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Kendra Y. Ausby. Dairo faces three counts each of first- and second-degree assault and single counts of firearm use in a felony violent crime, reckless endangerment, firing and discharging a firearm and malicious destruction of property under $1000. 

Dairo was inside of his home on the 600 block of Radnor Avenue when he observed a group of three juveniles near his truck parked on the street. According to the prosecution, Dairo, falsely believing that they were attempting to vandalize his vehicle, then exited his home and fired a gun into the air.

Dairo admitted to firing the gun, but stressed that he was a registered gun owner with a conceal and carry license.

Dairo was represented by Augustine Okeke, who said during closing arguments that Dairo had taken gun proficiency classes where he was instructed to fire off a warning shot to defend his property. He claimed that Dairo and his girlfriend yelled at the juveniles to stop banging and kicking the vehicle, but this only made them bang harder. 

Dairo then fired one single shot into the air. According to Okeke, the shot was meant to scare the juveniles off of his truck. According to the prosecution, this was the illegal use of deadly force to defend his property. One the victims left their bike behind as they fled from the truck, and Dairo is accused of smashing it in retaliation. 

Jury deliberations are ongoing.