Defense Alleges Victim’s Girlfriend, Not Defendant, Killed Man

By Baltimore Witness Staff - September 10, 2021
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Suspects | Victims |

During a murder trial that began on Sept. 9, the defense claimed that the defendant charged with first-degree murder was not behind the death of the victim, but rather the victim’s girlfriend of 16 years. 

Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Lynn Stewart Mays presided, along with twelve jurors who were chosen the day before. 

Ronald Brown, 54, is charged with first-degree murder and use of a deadly weapon with the intent to injure.  

During her opening statement, the prosecutor accused the defendant of stabbing William Scott numerous times around 5:30 a.m. on Dec. 8, 2019, on the 500 block of N. Payson Street. Before the incident occurred, she said, the victim and the defendant were seen arguing. The victim’s girlfriend said she saw Brown allegedly stab her boyfriend on the same night. 

The prosecutor said that according to the girlfriend, Brown pulled off the victim’s pants and went through his pockets. 

During the defense counsel’s opening statement, Brandon T. Taylor suggested that the victim’s girlfriend could possibly be the murderer instead of Brown. 

While flagging down the attention of the police, Taylor said, the victim’s girlfriend appeared to be calm at the time of the incident. 

The police and the girlfriend were locked outside of the building for at least 30 minutes, and the officers were only able to gain access to the house once the fire department arrived. 

Taylor said that throughout the entire time the victim’s girlfriend was speaking with the officers, she did not mention the defendant’s name. It was only brought up when she realized that she was potentially a suspect. 

On the second day of the trial, a police officer and the victim’s girlfriend will be the first witnesses called to testify on behalf of the incident. 

The trial will continue on Sept. 12 as the prosecution calls its witnesses to the stand.