A homicide trial against 46-year-old Jamal Smith moved to jury deliberations after prosecutors and the self-represented defendant delivered closing arguments before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Cynthia H. Jones.
Smith is charged with first-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon with intent to injure in connection to the Jan. 27, 2022 fatal stabbing of his housemate, 29-year-old Robert Parker, at their shared residence on the 1500 block of E. 28th Street. During trial, jurors heard from a state medical examiner, who confirmed the victim suffered multiple stab wounds to his chest, neck, underarm, shoulder, and face. Toxicology results showed Parker had alcohol in his system.
Prosecutors argued the case was a matter of “common sense,” pointing to neighbors who heard the two men arguing before a sudden silence and a loud thud. The state also played body-worn camera footage from police earlier that day, alleging that Smith could be heard referencing grabbing a knife “in case he does something stupid.” Photos presented at trial showed a blood trail leading from the residence to a shed where Smith was found with cuts on his hands.
In her closing, the prosecutor told jurors the evidence clearly pointed to Smith, noting, “This isn’t a whodunnit.”
Smith countered that the case was entirely circumstantial. He emphasized that investigators never tested the blood trail, the shed, or the clothing for DNA, arguing there was no scientific evidence linking him to Parker’s death. He also noted that no eyewitness saw the stabbing and no weapon was recovered.
“Base your judgment on the facts — there aren’t any,” Smith told jurors, insisting the state exaggerated the amount of blood on him and failed to prove its case.
In rebuttal, the prosecution reminded the jury that the law makes no distinction between direct and circumstantial evidence.
The jury was sent to deliberate the verdict.
