Defense Attorney Says Attempted Murder Case ‘Makes No Sense’

By Destiny Rodriguez - April 9, 2024
Court | Daily Stories | Non-Fatal Shooting | Shooting | Suspects |

On April 5, a 41-year-old’s attempted murder trial continued before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Robert K. Taylor, Jr. with closing arguments.

Dwaun Hawkins is charged with four counts of attempted first- and second- degree murder, four counts of first-degree assault, five counts of second-degree assault, four counts of firearm use in a felony violent crime, four counts of reckless endangerment, having a handgun on his person and firing a gun within Baltimore City limits. 

The prosecutor noted the 911 call made by the defendant’s ex-girlfriend, screaming that her son was targeted by gunfire. The prosecutor said, “There is no opportunity to come up with a story,” as the altercation occurred in the heat of the moment.

He also said that the defendant’s testimony was not consistent with what he told police that night.

He “was not stopped from telling the truth,” said the prosecutor.

The prosecutor reiterated that body-worn camera footage shows Hawkins explaining how a gun was pointed at his head. In testimony he said he was charged with a knife.

On the night of the incident, Hawkins reportedly failed to tell police that his phone and keys were taken.

Defense attorney Jason Rodriguez said that this is a “very simple and straightforward case”.

He said if it were in fact Hawkins intention to kill, then he would not have merely fired two shots he would have “emptied the entire clip”. Saying that it “makes no sense” that he fired at his ex-girlfriend’s 21-year-old son because it would have, “hit him, a car, or a house, but that didn’t happen.” 

Rodriguez asked that the jury only find Hawkins responsible for firing a gun within Baltimore City limits.

The jury is currently deliberating the case.

According to court documents, the incident occurred on Aug. 10, 2023 when the Baltimore City Police (BPD) responded to a report about a shooting on the 2400 block of Elsinore Avenue. Hawkins was in a heated argument with his ex-girlfriend which led resulted in his allegedly shooting at her grandchildren and punching one repeatedly in the face.