Defense Challenges Prosecution Evidence in Amended Murder Trial

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Defense attorney Roya Hanna questioned whether the prosecution brought sufficient evidence to find Darius Savoy, 26, guilty in connection to the April 13, 2023, fatal shooting of Allante Alexander, 30. The proceeding occurred on April 11 before Baltimore City Circuit Court Judge Althea M. Handy.

Savoy unexpectedly pleaded “no contest” last week to a murder charge originally filed in the case.

As previously reported by Baltimore Witness, Savoy was allegedly captured on video entering the passenger’s side of a stolen black Audi Q7 less than 20 minutes before it appeared in the 2000 block of W. Lexington Street, where Alexander was fatally shot.

During the course of the trial, Hanna emphasized that GPS records show the car went in the direction of Savoy’s home address before traveling to W. Lexington Street, but it remains unclear whether Savoy was in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.

The prosecution told the jury during closing arguments that Savoy was still “consorting” with the driver. An officer of the Baltimore Police Department (BPD) Regional Auto Theft Task Force testified the car never stopped at Savoy’s home for a significant length of time, giving credence to the claim of accomplice liability.

After recovering the vehicle, investigators allegedly located Savoy’s fingerprints on the passenger door and shell casings underneath the driver’s seat. The driver’s side door was reportedly wiped clean of fingerprints or DNA evidence.

“The driver’s side was clean, somebody made sure to clean it,” Hanna said during her closing argument. “They didn’t even bother to test it for fingerprints or DNA.”

“Sometimes police say, ‘We don’t catch the smart ones,’” the prosecution rebutted. “Ms. Hanna would make a better criminal than Mr. Savoy does.”

Savoy pleaded “nolo contendere” for the count of first-degree murder, allowing him to accept punishment without admitting nor denying guilt. He pleaded not guilty to his remaining counts, which include firearm use in a felony or violent crime, conspiracy to firearm use in a felony or violent crime, two counts of carrying a handgun, and first-degree assault.

Jury deliberations continue.