Defendant Prompted Fight That Led to Shooting, Prosecutor Argues

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Desmond Lark lost a fight and “he wasn’t going to let it end with him on the ground,” a Baltimore City prosecutor argued before a jury at the close of the 34-year-old attempted homicide defendant’s trial on Aug. 22.

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer presided over Thursday morning’s closing arguments as the prosecution reviewed the eight charges against Lark, including attempted first and second-degree murder, attempted voluntary manslaughter and first-degree assault as well as multiple weapons charges.

“This case is about somebody who pointed a gun during a verbal altercation,” the prosecution said, adding that defense attorney Roya Hanna’s argument of self-defense was inaccurate.

On June 1, 2023, Lark lost a fight with a man outside a liquor store on the 5300 block of Frankford Avenue, the prosecutor explained. The defendant returned to the store for revenge, but not before going to his vehicle, where—he testified—that he kept his handgun. Inside the store, Lark allegedly began instigating a fight, saying, “C’mon, c’mon,” and encouraging his alleged attacker and another man to come outside.

According to the prosecution, video footage captured the incident, showing the second man putting his hands in the air. Moments later, Lark shot the victim in his groin.

“Self-defense is a ‘red herring’ in this case,” the prosecutor said. Firing a gun at the center of someone’s body is an attempt on that person’s life, she noted.

During her closing argument, Hanna painted a different picture of the victim, saying that he threatened to “blow [Lark] away.” Defense counsel reminded jurors that officers with the Baltimore Police Department (BPD)were already familiar with the victim given his history as a drug dealer. Hanna also said the victim actually had his arms out, not up, when he kept telling Lark to “give [the victim] a reason” to shoot him.

Following a three-day trial, the jury began their deliberations mid-morning on Thursday.