Defendant Gets Life For Killing Linked to Facebook Marketplace Ad

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Marques Harris, 19, was sentenced to life in prison during a hearing before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Levi S. Zaslow on March 10.

As previously reported by Baltimore Witness, Carlos Carrazana-Ricardo, 18, was fatally shot in the head after responding to a Facebook Marketplace advertisement for a car. Carrazana-Ricardo met with Harris on the 2700 block of Harlem Avenue.

Judge Zaslow sentenced Harris to life plus 10 years in prison, the first five years to be served with no possibility of parole, and a recommendation to a youth program.

Harris was found guilty of first-degree murder, two counts of using a firearm during a felony or violent crime, attempted first- and second-degree murder, and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder on Sept. 6, 2024.

“The worst thing that can happen to a human being is to have your children taken away from you,” Carrazana-Ricardo’s mother said, “He only went to do a favor for his friend, to look at a car with him, and that was a death sentence.”

The prosecutor initially asked for a sentence above the sentencing guidelines due to the severity of the crime.

However, defense attorney Judit Otvos reminded the court that, “Marques was barely 18 when this occurred,” and that the years of 18-to-24 are technically considered adolescence.

She requested that Judge Zaslow consider not only punishment in his decision for sentencing, but also rehabilitation.

Harris’ close friend spoke against the life sentence saying, “What she was saying, life plus 50 years, that’s uncalled for.”