Marcus Lilly, 44, was sentenced on Sept. 22 for his involvement in an Oct. 2024 shooting, receiving sentences on multiple assault and firearm charges. Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lawrence P. Fletcher-Hill said video evidence showed Lily returning toward the victim involved in the shooting after that man fired his gun first.
During the sentencing, Lilly’s attorney, Joseph Tomko, addressed motions from the defendant for a retrial. He cited issues with the time stamp verifications of surveillance videos. Additionally, Tomko claimed that a testifying officer was able to “sway” the jury into making their decision about who was shown on the videos, saying the jury “compromised.”
Lilly was charged with three counts each of attempted first and second-degree murder as well as first-degree assault as well as firearm charges in relation to an incident that occurred the evening of Oct. 16, 2024, on the 3500 block of West Caton Avenue.
Judge Fletcher-Hill asked Tomko if all issues from the defendant had been addressed, to which he replied yes. Lilly then attempted to object to his own lawyer raising more issues, not outloud, only filed with the court.
The judge said he would not hear arguments from the defendant, and that only his attorney should be speaking for him. The motion for a retrial was denied. During an impact statement, the victim said just in town helping a friend when he was caught in the crossfire. He said, “everyone is suffering a loss here,” while also detailing the financial burdens his injuries caused.
Lilly was sentenced to 25 years for first-degree assault, with an additional 25-year sentence for first-degree assault which will run concurrently. Another sentence, which is also for first-degree assault, carries a 25-year sentence that was fully suspended. He received ten years for firearm use in a felony or violent crime, concurrent with the assault sentence, and another 10 years consecutive to the firearm-use sentence. Another firearm-use charge carried another 10-year sentence, to run concurrently with the firearm-use sentence.
Lilly was also sentenced to one year for firing or discharging a gun, pistol, or firearm, concurrent with the firearm-use sentence. He received 10 years for firearm possession in connection with a crime of violence or felony, which is also concurrent with the firearm-use sentence. He received five years for carrying a loaded handgun, concurrent with the firearm-possession sentence. He also received one year for illegal possession of ammunition, to run concurrently with the loaded-handgun sentence.
During sentencing, Judge Fletcher-Hill said it was a difficult set of decisions. He acknowledged that Lilly had some redeemable qualities, including earning a degree while incarcerated and finishing it after his release. The judge also noted that Lilly appeared to have had a positive impact on some people.
Judge Fletcher-Hill said it was clear that the other man involved in the shooting fired his gun first, but noted that video evidence showed Lilly returning toward him. The judge described Lilly’s decision to shoot back as a “selfish act.”
