Defense Argues Mistaken Identity in Burger King Robbery, Shooting

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“They got the wrong guy,” was the defense’s determined position during opening statements on June 5 in the trial of a Baltimore man accused of robbing a Burger King on the 1200 block of West North Avenue.

Charles Edwards, 40, is charged with armed robbery, robbery, first-degree assault, second-degree assault, firearm use in a felony violent crime, discharging a firearm in Baltimore City, possession of a regulated firearm, reckless endangerment and theft valued between $100 and $1500 in connection to an Aug. 25, 2023, incident.

On June 5, counsel presented their opening statements to a jury in front of Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Alan C. Lazerow. The prosecution began by emphasizing their goal of having Edwards found guilty of all charges. “This case about is about this and this only: about how a 40-year-old grown man made a conscious decision,” said the prosecution.

The case against Edwards will be centered on forensic evidence, specifically fingerprints, recovered from the crime scene and CCTV video captured during the robbery. “It’s not make-believe. It’s forensic evidence, video footage,” the prosecution stated.

Edwards’ defense attorney, Jerry Prince, asserted his client’s innocence during his opening statement. Prince expressed his confidence in the fact that the prosecution has no definitive evidence that implicated Edwards in the crime. “Yes, there was a robbery at Burger King. Yes, one of the fingerprints on the front door was Mr. Edwards’. Yes, Mr. Edwards knows the owner and knows the people there… None of the evidence after that points to Mr. Edwards,” Prince told the jury.

According to the prosecution, on Aug. 25, 2023, a suspect who they believe to be Edwards entered the Burger King with a revolver, leapt over the counter while a 17-year-old girl was working the register, stole $400 and escaped out of the drive-through window, then shooting four to six rounds from a revolver at a locked door. The face of the robber was completely obscured by a piece of white cloth throughout the entire incident.

Both sides’ opening statements as well as witness testimony revealed that Edwards was well-known by the employees and the owner of the Burger King that he allegedly robbed as he was a frequent customer and occasional cleaner and small-scale repairman at the location.

The trial is expected to continue tomorrow.