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By
Vantashia Bridges [former]
, Yihan Zhao [former], Rudy Malcom [former] - July 9, 2021
Court
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Daily Stories
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Non-Fatal Shooting
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Judge Videtta A. Brown denied a motion to suppress evidence in a non-fatal shooting case at the Baltimore City Circuit Court on July 9.
Baltimore resident Davon Roberts allegedly shot his wife on the 600 block of S. Fremont Avenue on Aug. 26, 2019.
Roberts, 45, is charged with two counts of attempted first and second-degree murder, second-degree assault, reckless endangerment, and firearm use in a violent crime, as well as one count of false imprisonment.
On Friday, the defense motioned to suppress Roberts’ confession from an interview nearly two years ago with a Baltimore Police detective.
The detective said they recalled bringing a man into the police station on Sept. 6, 2019. While they did not remember the man’s name, court records indicated the detective assisted Roberts at around 11:45 a.m.
The detective said they allegedly had two conversations with Roberts that day. During their first conversation, they tried to put Roberts at ease by mentioning that they knew his mother, who was actively involved in community affairs at that time.
During their second conversation, the detective allegedly told Roberts that they had told his mother about his arrest, saying his mother would lose respect in the community if she found out the details of the case through the press. Accordingly, the detective allegedly encouraged him to confess so that his mother could learn about the case in his words, leading to Roberts’ alleged confession.
The defense argued that the detective induced Roberts into confessing by emphasizing their closeness with his mother and by saying his mother would be embarrassed if he didn’t confess.
However, the detective said Roberts was given his Miranda Rights before their second conversation. For this reason, Judge Brown denied the motion to suppress, as there was no evidence to suggest Roberts was unable to understand his rights before confessing.
Roberts’ case is scheduled for trial on July 21.