Defendant Accused of Shooting at Mother of His Child Over Another Woman

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A 25-year-old Baltimore man on trial for the attempted murder of his child’s mother allegedly lured his “jealous and angry” former partner to the crime scene under the false pretense of meeting his new girlfriend, a Baltimore City prosecutor argued.

The jury trial of Davon Coleman began on Aug. 28 before Circuit Court Judge Yolanda A. Tanner in connection to the attempted murder on Sept. 22, 2021, on the 1700 block of Cliftview Avenue. Coleman, who is represented by defense attorney Augustine Okeke, is also facing first and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and eight weapons charges.

During opening statements, the prosecutor told jurors that Coleman and the mother of his child had an “off-and-on relationship” for several years, having known one another for about a decade. The victim became angry with the defendant because he was spending his time with other women instead of his son. After she gave Coleman “a hard time,” the prosecutor said, the defendant called the victim around 1 a.m. on the day of the incident and told her to meet him and the other woman on Cliftview Avenue.

“She went,” the prosecutor said. “You know who wasn’t waiting there? That other woman. …[Coleman] didn’t just come by himself. He brought his best little friend in the world: his gun.”

Coleman approached the victim’s car to confirm it was her before allegedly firing at her car multiple times, the prosecutor explained. The victim then sped off and went to Baltimore County to see her grandmother, who called 911.

“This is not a way we solve our problems,” the prosecutor said. “This is a way Mr. Coleman solves his problems.”

Okeke countered that the victim was in “a bad neighborhood” and neglected to call the Baltimore Police Department (BPD), but instead, Baltimore County Police, neither of whom ever went to the crime scene.

Testimony was expected to begin on Aug. 29 when the jury will hear from the investigating detective as well as the victim.