Defense Attorney Calls Prosecutor a ‘Snake’ Over Video Evidence

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Before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Jeannie J. Hong, the defense attorney for an attempted murder defendant called the prosecutor a “snake” and “disingenuous” for allegedly trying to introduce new evidence the defense hadn’t seen.

Juan Jumal Foster, 44, is charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first-degree assault, reckless endangerment, firearm use in a felony violent crime, firearm possession with a felony conviction, illegal possession of a regulated firearm, possession of a firearm in a controlled dangerous substance offense, having a handgun on his person, having a handgun in his vehicle and discharging firearms for an incident that occurred on May 11, 2022.

Testimony continued Aug. 7 with a Baltimore Police Department detective explaining how he obtained many different surveillance videos. One was from a Ring doorbell camera across the street from the crime scene that captured footage of the incident and aftermath.

During the testimony the defense attorney, Derrick Hamlin, objected leading to a short recess during which both attorneys were trying to explain to the judge why the camera footage was an issue.

Hamlin told Judge Hong that the prosecution was being manipulative, acting like a “snake” and being “disingenuous” toward the defense because Hamlin believed the evidence was new. The prosecution explained that the Ring footage was already part of the evidence and the defense had full access to it prior to trial.

Judge Hong allowed the videos to be shown to the jury and told the attorneys that they needed to be courteous of her, the court and each other throughout the rest of this trial.

Testimony will continue Aug. 8.