Defense Attorney Challenges Murder Defendant’s Alleged Confession

By Laura Van Pate [former] - August 12, 2024
Attempted Murder | Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Suspects |

A defense attorney claimed the prosecution dishonestly introduced a murder defendant’s confession on Aug. 8 in a Baltimore City Circuit Court trial.

Juan Jumal Foster, 44, is charged with attempted first-degree murder, attempted 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 while having controlled dangerous substances, carrying a handgun, having a handgun in a vehicle and discharging a firearm for a shooting on May 11, 2022.

Foster allegedly tried to shoot his co-defendant’s, Amber Robinson Bijou’s, boyfriend on the 3800 block of Tivoly Avenue because Foster and Bijou were allegedly having an affair even though she was in an existing relationship, according to a police report.

Defense attorney Derrick Hamlin argued that the prosecution failed to prove Foster attempted to murder the victim because there were no eyewitnesses or video footage of Foster’s committing the crime.

Hamlin also accused the prosecution of lying about Foster’s confessing guilt when he spoke to his father on the phone about legal advice. The information surfaced after the prosecution introduced recordings of phone messages in court.

The prosecution responded they never lied about evidence and they believed Foster confessed during the conversation because he asked his father if it was a good idea to acknowledge guilt.

The prosecution believes they proved their case using circumstantial evidence, such as a video of someone unidentifiable in the car Foster owned allegedly shooting the victim the night of the crime.

Foster’s case was heard in front of Judge Jeannie J. Hong.