Defendant Sentenced to 60 Years for 2022 East Edgar Street Homicide

By Kavya Vandavasi [former] - June 11, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lawrence P. Fletcher-Hill sentenced a 35-year-old Baltimore man to 95 years, suspending all but 60 years, on June 11 for a December 2022 homicide. 

Darian McFarland was convicted of second-degree murder, firearm use in a felony violent crime, committing a crime of violence in the presence of a minor, firearm possession with a felony conviction and two charges of carrying a handgun on his person, possessing a firearm with a felony conviction and having a handgun in his vehicle each for the murder of 28-year-old Michael Morrison on the 1600 block of East Eager Street.

According to previous reporting, on Dec. 23, 2022, McFarland visited his ex-girlfriend’s home prior to the holidays, and Morrison returned to see the two cursing in front of their children. Morrison, who was currently dating McFarland’s ex-girlfriend, seemed angry and reached for his own gun, when McFarland responded by taking Morrison’s weapon and shooting him.

McFarland allegedly instructed everyone to enter his car and took them to a separate location. He wasn’t found until Jan. 18, 2023, and according to documents from the District Court of Maryland, was identified through photographic arrays by witnesses. 

McFarland was sentenced to 40 years for second-degree murder. He received 20 years, suspending all but five years,  consecutively for firearm use in a felony violent crime and five years consecutively for committing a crime of violence in the presence of a minor.

Additionally, he received 15 years, suspending all but five without the possibility of parole for the merged charges of firearm possession with a felony conviction, having a handgun on his person and having a handgun in his vehicle in regards to his own weapon.

In addition, he received 15 years, suspending all but five without the possibility for parole for a second iteration of the same three charges regarding the gun McFarland took from the victim. 

Morrison’s relatives came forward to describe his character as a loving father and a man with a strong dedication to do the right thing. Morrison’s father said the shooting was a “senseless killing,” which the judge echoed before levying his sentence.

Defense attorney James Gitomer argued his client shot Morrison in self-defense, saying that the argument between the two men prior to the shooting served as a form of provocation. However, the prosecution cited evidence from McFarland’s phone messages and a jail call showing his “lack of remorse.”

McFarland declined to make a statement and his defense attorney referred to a previous statement in which he apologized to the victim’s family.