Defense Attorney Claims Weak Evidence Against Double Homicide Suspect in Closing

By Laura Van Pate - November 12, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Homicides | Shooting | Suspects | Victims |

A defense attorney claimed his client is an outstanding family man and falsely accused during a closing argument in a homicide case on November 12 in Baltimore City Circuit Court. 

Michael Tomko, is the defense attorney of 19-year-old, Jabre Griffith, who along with his co-defendant 16-year-old Kamala Brown, is accused of murdering both 33-year-old Ernest Hall near the 2800 block of Edmonson Avenue, and 26-year-old Michal Young near the 5400 block of York Road in March 2023. 

Griffith’s charges include two counts of first degree murder, six counts of firearm usage in a felony or violent crime, five counts of first degree conspiracy to murder, five counts of attempted first degree murder, five counts of attempted second degree murder, five counts of first degree assault, and possession of a firearm as a minor.

During his closing argument, Tomko defended both Griffith’s innocence and character, saying that no eyewitnesses saw Griffith commit the murder of either Hall or Young, and that people that know him such as teachers and coaches have said he’s an amazing person. 

“People that know Griffith have defended him, and no evidence with confidence shows he was there. As such the jury must find Griffith not guilty,” Tomko said.

The prosecution rebutted Tomko’s claims stating that despite no eyewitnesses, there’s so much evidence against Griffith such as his DNA likely being found on the gloves that the murderer wore during the crimes and that Griffith’s phone was turned off right before the murders took place, meaning that his location couldn’t be tracked.

“All the evidence points to Griffith murdering Hall and Young,” the prosecution said. “There is only one just verdict in this case and that is guilty.” 

Griffith’s trial was heard in front of Judge Jennifer B. Schiffer.