Defendant Attacked During Murder Trial

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The murder trial of Joseph Walker was abruptly stopped on July 22 when a young man from the courtroom gallery charged at the defendant, causing Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lynn S. Mays to vacate the premises.

Walker, 50, and his co-defendant Joseph Coates, 41, are charged with two counts of first-degree murder, one count each of armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery, and several other related firearm violations in connection to the Dec. 15, 2023 murder of Marvin Jackson, 26.

During proceedings, the prosecution called an assistant medical examiner and a detective to testify.

The assistant medical examiner performed Jackson’s autopsy on Dec. 16, 2023 and found scattered scars and abrasions, evidence of medical attention from attempted resuscitation, and a gunshot wound to the neck. The stippling around the wound allowed the examiner to estimate the firearm was held within one-half inch to two feet away when discharged.

The detective obtained surveillance footage from the rear camera of Ark Church, on the corner of East North Avenue and Aiken Street. As previously reported, one of the men in the video, described as heavyset, was wearing a blue coat and a bright sweatshirt underneath, along with blue shoes. The second man, described as skinny, was wearing a dark-colored sweatshirt, black sweatpants, white shoes and a face mask. The man in the dark-colored sweatshirt was seen briefly conversing with Jackson before shooting him.

When Jackson’s death was shown on video in the courtroom, a young man sitting behind the prosecution rushed toward the defendant. This provoked an intense, aggressive and emotional physical altercation, which quickly escalated. Judge Mays ordered the jury and bystanders to leave the courtroom immediately.

Several court officers ran converged on Judge Mays’ courtroom, from which at least three men were handcuffed and removed.