Attorneys Debate Whether A Shooting Qualifies As Attempted Murder During Closing Arguments

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The prosecution and defense used closing arguments to prove whether the defendant’s actions resulted to attempted murder or not on July 19 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lawrence P. Fletcher-Hill.

Deon Hudson, 29, is charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, firearm use in a felony violent crime, carrying or wearing a handgun on his person and firing a gun in Baltimore City in connection to an incident on May 28, 2023, on the 200 block of South Monroe Street.

In closing arguments, the prosecution painted a picture of the events before the crime. She talked about the once-casual conversation between the victim, defendant and others until the defendant alluded to wanting to fight.

After the group didn’t appear to take him seriously, according to the prosecution, the defendant allegedly told the group, “We could’ve just killed them.” Upon being pressed for elaboration, Hudson allegedly pulled out his gun.

“It’s a miracle this is not a murder case,” the prosecution said, detailing the victim’s multiple gunshot wounds, including one that grazed his face.

Defense attorney Matthew Connell emphasized that although the shooting may have occurred, Hudson was not guilty of attempted murder due to the action not qualifying as being premeditated, willful, deliberate or showing intent to kill.

“This never would’ve happened if I hadn’t been that drunk,” he said Hudson told police.

His lawyer described him as someone without a criminal record and spoke further about his role as a husband and father with a respectable job.

The jury began deliberating on July 19.