Defense Attorney Set to Depart From Murder Case

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Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Barry G. Williams agreed to reschedule a jury trial for Brandon Fullard, 40, after defense attorney Roya Hanna asked to withdraw from the case. Hanna expressed doubts that she could be an effective advocate for Fullard.

Fullard is charged with second-degree murder and related firearm charges in the November 2023 fatal shooting of Brian Richardson, 31, on the 3300 block of Garrison Boulevard.

According to charging documents, Baltimore Police Department (BPD)officers responded to the Carroll Motor Fuels gas station located at the 3300 block of Garrison Boulevard in response to a reported shooting on Nov. 12, 2023. The victim turned out to be Richardson. His girlfriend took him to the University of Maryland Shock Trauma Center, where he later succumbed to his wounds.

Video surveillance footage from the area captured a gray rental 2016 Toyota Camry, arriving at the crime scene around 2 p.m. Fullard’s girlfriend was allegedly seen arriving shortly after in a 2007 BMW XI.

Richardson exited the BMW from the passenger side and approached the driver side of the Camry. The driver, who appeared to be Fullard, fired a gun at Richardson’s abdomen before fleeing towards Liberty Heights Avenue. Richardson crawled back into his vehicle before his girlfriend transported him to the hospital.

Hanna asked to be recused from Fullard’s case, telling Judge Williams that an unspecified communication issue with potential jurors led her to believe she could not adequately represent her client.

Hanna informed the court that she contacted the Baltimore City Office of the Public Defender to ensure a replacement. Judge Williams agreed to grant Hanna’s request and referred the case to Judge Melissa K. Copeland for a new trial date.