Counsel Give Opening Statements in Fatal Carjacking Case

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On July 22, a jury heard opening statements in an attempted carjacking case that resulted in the death of an Israeli man.

William Holloman, 19, is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, armed robbery, conspiracy to commit armed robbery, firearm use in a felony violent crime, conspiracy to use a firearm in a felony violent crime and having a handgun on his person in connection to an incident that took place on May 3, 2021.

The prosecution began opening statements by introducing the jury to the victim, 31-year old Efraim Gordon.

Just after midnight on May 3, Gordon was approached by three men who demanded he give them the keys to his car on the 3700 block of Fords Lane, the prosecutor told the jury.

Gordon refused, and a single gunshot was fired by 19-year-old Rasheed Morris, Holloman’s co-defendant who pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in June 2022, the prosecutor continued.

Defense attorney Roya Hanna urged the jury to question the credibility of the witnesses as well as the thoroughness of the police investigation.

Omarion Anderson, 20, also pleaded guilty to first-degree murder for his involvement in this case in May 2022.

Hanna said two men who were involved in the shooting were given plea deals that require them to testify.

Hanna mentioned that after Baltimore Police Department (BPD) investigators conducted interviews with the suspects, they did not collect any additional evidence, such as fingerprints, from her client.

Testimony began on July 22 in front of Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Melissa M. Phinn.

If convicted, the maximum penalty Holloman could receive includes two consecutive life sentences plus 83 years in prison. Holloman is also charged with murder in a separate ongoing case.

Another defendant, William Clinton III, 22, is also pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, attempted armed carjacking, conspiracy to armed carjacking, armed robbery, conspiracy to armed robbery, felony use in a felony-violent crime, and possession of a firearm by a minor. Clinton drove the car associated with the crime.

He is scheduled to have a disposition hearing on Sept. 17.

The trial is slated to continue with witness testimony on July 23.