A murder suspect took the stand on June 10 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Anthony Vittoria.
Neri Salvador Manci Hernandez, 29, is charged with first-degree murder, firearm use in a violent crime, and having a loaded handgun in connection with the death of Kendall Brown, 40, on March 16, 2025.
During testimony June 10, Hernandez said he had previous disputes with the victim regarding vehicle damage in the apartment parking lot.
He testified that the first incident occurred in February 2025 when the victim allegedly banged on the apartment door while he was at work.
Hernandez said he believed the victim was angry about how many cars he parked inside the complex’s parking lot.
He stated Brown accused him of damaging his vehicle after seeing similar scratches on both cars. .
The defendant claimed his partner called him frightened and hid in a bedroom, but police were never contacted.
According to Hernandez, there was also a second confrontation that occurred on March 16 after he returned from work. He said Brown approached him and again accused him of damaging his vehicle.
Hernandez testified that his partner joined the augment to translate because she was able to speak both English and Spanish. He said the confrontation escalated after his partner threatened to call the police.
Hernandez testified that the victim then pulled out a handgun. He said he lunged toward the victim, taking the gun and immediately firing it before fleeing from the scene.
He said he later discarded the weapon in a trash can.
“I feel kind of guilty,” Hernandez told the jury. “He said we hit his car. It would have been easier to call the police.”
Hernandez said he did not contact the police afterward because he feared deportation.
He also said he believed police would not arrest him because of what he described as “God’s plan” that gave him the strength to take the firearm without a struggle. On June 8, Hernandez told the jury he acted in self-defense.
According to Hernandez, he had previously handled his father’s firearms in Honduras but said he never personally owned a gun in the United States.
“It was a person who died, just like me ,you, everyone of you. The thought never crossed my mind to hurt anybody,” he said.
The jury trial is scheduled to continue before Judge Vittoria on June 11.
