Defense Challenges Co-Def's Testimony in High School Killing

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Attorneys delivered opening statements on Aug. 19 in the trial of murder trial of Devon Rich.

Rich, 17, is indicted on 13 counts, including attempted first- and second-degree murder, reckless endangerment, and a multitude of firearms charges in connection to a September 2023 shooting at a Paul Laurence Dunbar High School football game on the 1100 block of E. Madison Street.

In its opening statement before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy, the prosecution argued that Rich willfully and intentionally shot at the crowd on Sept. 9, 2023, killing a 12-year-old boy. Rich allegedly planned the attack with teenage co-conspirator Ryan Smith, who was also arrested and will testify during Rich’s trial.

The prosecution indicated that during his testimony, Smith would identify Rich as the one who shot the gun. Allegedly, surveillance footage and video evidence will support this claim.

In his opening statement, defense attorney George Harris II affirmed that “this case is going to be very simple.”

According to Harris, shell casings from the scene and the police’s recovery of the firearm used in the shooting prove that Smith, not Rich, fired at the crowd. Smith was allegedly in possession of the firearm prior to the shooting.

“You won’t hear anything about Devon Rich ever having that firearm,” said Harris. “He had nothing to do with this incident … and Ryan Smith has everything to do with this shooting.”

Smith wore an ankle monitor at the time of the shooting that allegedly placed him at the crime scene.

Harris also stated that Smith lied to detectives following his arrest. An interview depicted him apparently frustrating detectives as he changed his story and made claims that contradicted the GPS evidence.

The prosecution offered Smith a deal, said Harris, to testify against Rich in exchange for a transfer to juvenile court and the dismissal of the murder charges.

“What we do in this building is work with proof. We work with reliable evidence. We don’t take the word of someone who has lied repeatedly,” said Harris. “You cannot believe anything Ryan Smith says.”

Harris stated that Rich was never captured on surveillance video at the football game because he wasn’t there.

“The only fair verdict is not guilty,” he said.

Proceedings will continue on Aug. 20.

Defense Challenges Co-Def’s Testimony in High School Killing